Let's Talk Race: A Look at President Barack Obama's Speeches on Race These speeches, some collected before Barack Obama was even elected President of the United States, are powerful and part of our nation's history. Uniquely, each of these speeches address events that relate to race. These speeches remain relevant because as national events continue to unfold; the need for the discussion of race is vital. Race is one of those issues we seldom discuss publicly because it engenders such emotion-on all sides of the equation. Some might argue, erroneously so I might add, that the election of Barack Obama ushered in a post racial America. Therefore, these discussions should be put to rest. Nothing can be further from the truth. Race issues continue to be part of our national conversation and experience.