Communicating for Change in Racial Conflict paper (wk 4)
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Liberty University *
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Communications
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Jun 7, 2024
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docx
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COMMUNICATING FOR RACIAL CHANGE Communicating for Change in Racial Conflict
Diana SanInocencio
Liberty University
BMAL- Leading Organizational Change
June 5, 2024
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COMMUNICATING FOR RACIAL CHANGE Communicating for Change in Racial Conflict
Consistent or Inconsistent of Landrieu Speech with the Premise
The mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana, Mr. Mitchell "Mitch" Joseph Landrieu, delivered a crucial address to the public during a significant civil rights movement. This movement, a pivotal moment in the city's history, had ignited a contentious debate over the removal of four Confederate statutes. These statues, for many, were a painful reminder of African American history, while for others, they were a testament to the city's rich and robust history tied to the Civil War. In line with Kotter's theory, Mitch's poignant public speech aimed to foster a shared sense of a desirable future that could motivate and coordinate transformative actions (Liberty University Custom: Heinz, 2021).
Landrieu's speech was compelling, and he carefully chose each word intentionally to convey to the public the reasons why the monuments need to be removed. He crafted his speech first to highlight the rich, diverse melting pot of New Orleans, a city that is the epitome of different heritages living cohesively and bringing authentic, rich culture to the city unlike any other. Furthermore, he explained the historical reasons why these four Confederate monuments were first erected and how they are against what the city stands for. Throughout his speech, he reiterated how New Orleans faced numerous hurricanes that devastated the city and how the city was rebuilt stronger due to everyone coming together. He also emphasized the future vision, painting a picture of a more inclusive and equal New Orleans to make the audience feel hopeful and inspired. "We have not erased history; we are becoming part of the city's history by righting
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COMMUNICATING FOR RACIAL CHANGE the wrong image these monuments represent and crafting a better, more complete future for all our children and future generations (Liberty University Custom: Heinz, 2021 p. 494)."
The speech is like the scripture passage in Galatians, chapter 3, verse 28, where it states: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one
in Christ Jesus (New International Version)." This verse reflects Jesus's perspective that everyone
is equal in His eyes, and there is no distinction. We are all God's children, created in His image, and He willingly died on the cross for us all. Landrieu’s method of communication proved successful, and his goal was met. "Communication is not simply a tool for producing intentional change; rather, it is through communication that change happens (Liberty University Custom: Heinz (2021), p. 219)." Landrieu used most of the eight Key Elements in an Effective Communication of Vision for this powerful public oration. Each will be discussed below, along with how Landrieu's speech was applied.
Key Elements in the Effective Communication of Vision
Simplicity
Throughout Landrieu's speech, he avoided jargon and technical words and kept his entire speech simple and free of ornate words. He was able to convey to the audience the reasons why the monuments needed to be removed from the public square. By emphasizing the direct impact of these monuments on the public, he made the audience feel the urgency of their removal. He transmitted both information and meaning by providing the audience with a history lesson about the city's role during the Civil War (Liberty University Custom: Heinz, 2021). Lastly, “The time and energy required for effective vision communication are directly related to the clarity and simplicity of the message (Liberty University Custom: Heinz, 2021, p. 474).”
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