Special Message to Congress: The American Promise - Lyndon B. Johnson (March 15, 1965)

Thèmes abordés

Lyndon Baines Johnson, Etats-unis, Bill of Rights, ségrégation raciale, Constitution américaine, American way of life, égalité raciale

Résumé du document

Despite the Bill of Rights, racial discrimination was still ingrained in the daily actions of Americans. For example, in 1965, some whites were still denying blacks the right to vote by using ridiculously difficult questions prohibiting them from fully expressing their vote, illegally violating the principles of the U.S. Constitution.

Extraits

[...] Conclusion This speech plays a key role in the whole American History as Lyndon B. Johnson reminds and tries hard to restore, within many American strong references, one of the foundations of the US Constitution in a most troubled, blurred and confused period about its identity and around the notion of equality and citizenship, coming from a cultural breach between its people. The message here conveyed has a strong power as it goes back to the very first words of the U.S Constitution stating « we, the people » and referring to a global federating identity beyond any other specificity. [...]

[...] Special Message to Congress: The American Promise - Lyndon B. Johnson (March 15, 1965) Introduction As a freshly newly-built nation, the United States have stated their Bill of Rights with its 7 law articles, historically dated 1791 and added, due to a specific historical context, especially in the wake of the Civil War, up to 27 amendments to the American Constitution among which the Fifteenth which gave the vote to men of any race (1870). Despite this, its implementation was not so easy, as racial discrimination, was still embedded in the daily actions of Americans. [...]

[...] He wants to reinforce and monitor the equality principles everywhere. B. A reminder of the American spirit - 170 years after its entry into force, a strong President has to remind what was the real aims of the American nation. - Its identity has been lost through the many challenges brought by History and namely its previous free-slavery statements. C. A strong message -Use of a very strong rhetoric method based on a direct language (he uses the slang word « negroes ») and convincing short words and expressions (« there is no » »He shall share »). [...]

[...] An event that has crystallized the ills of the country - Selma's march and protest focuses on the problem of legal legislation and its resistance through « restricting action plans » into applicating it legally. It became a national concern (with Martin Luther King). The President uses it as symbol to get every American citizen engaged in this political and social struggle. ? A nation weakened by a mix of inner inherited problems and cultural ones. II. A claim for American values A. [...]