Feminist Views on Obama's Speeches

The author of Feminist Studies, discusses and argues with the language President Obama used in last week’s State of the Union address. In his speech, Obama announced his commitment to equal pay for women in the name of “our wives, mothers, and daughters.” To those keen feminist ears, such as the author, his statement is discordant. She argues that the opening with “our wives” addresses mostly males. She even describes her reaction to this statement with a flinch. While the author is against his statement, many have tweeted about it and there is a petition asking the White House to remove it within his other speeches ( since he also included it in his inaugurial speech.  The author is understanding of its appeal; using diction such as “warm” and “motivational”, but she feels as though it undermines the idea that women can be “political actors detached from their status within households.”

             Throughout Ashwini Tambe’s article, she uses great pathos and ethos. These main topics show through her diction that contains a strong and opinionated voice. She also uses a small amount of logos by giving little facts about Obama’s speech. Her article is convincing in some ways and she makes a good point when she mentions that he addresses mostly males. However, others may disagree with her article and may even argue that it is “too” feminist.