Prepare and give a presentation about a theme from franklin delano roosevelt's four freedoms speech. you must identify the theme — which can be one of the four freedoms or something else roosevelt focuses on — and discuss how it relates to (1) your own life and (2) a current issue. in other words, you will make a connection between the past and the present. you are expected to prepare at least an outline to guide you during your presentation, although you may also write the speech out word for word if you choose. you aren't required to support your points with evidence from sources (except for the four freedoms speech itself), but some casual research will inform you about current issues related to themes in roosevelt's speech and allow you to refer to examples more easily. your presentation should include the following elements: a claim that lets the audience know the theme you're focusing on and the scope of your presentation support for your points in the form of examples from (1) roosevelt's speech, (2) your own life, and (3) current events an outline that organizes your topics, subtopics, and examples an introduction, body, and conclusion

Senator Harrison, Governor Conner, Mr. Mayor, my friends:

I shall not make a speech to you today because we are assembled on this glorious Sunday morning more as neighbors than as anything else.

I have had a very wonderful three days; and everywhere that I have gone, the good people have come as neighbors to talk with me, and they have not come by the thousands—they have come literally by the acres.

This is the first time in my life that I have had the privilege of seeing this section of the State of Mississippi. Many, many years ago, when Pat Harrison and I were almost boys, I became acquainted with his stamping ground down on the Gulf. Today I am especially glad to come into the northern part of the State.

I suppose that you good people know a great deal more of the efforts that we have been making in regard to the work of the Tennessee Valley Authority than I do, because you have seen its application in your own counties and your towns and your own homes; and, therefore, it would be like carrying coals to Newcastle for me to tell you about what has been done.

But perhaps in referring to it I can use you as a text—a text that may be useful to many other parts of the Nation; because people’s eyes are upon you and because what you are doing here is going to be copied in every State of the Union before we get through.  

I cite certain figures for the benefit of the gentlemen of the press, who have come hither from many climes. I am told that from March of this year, when you started using T.V.A. power, the consumption of power for residential purposes has risen from 41,000 kilowatts to 89,000 kilowatts—an increase of—26 percent.

And there is another side of it. I have forgotten the exact figures and I cannot find them in this voluminous report at this moment, but the number of new refrigerators that have been, put in, for example, means something besides just plain dollars and cents. It means a greater human happiness. The introduction of electric cookstoves and all the other dozens of things which, when I was in the Navy, we used to call “gadgets,” is improving human life. They are things not especially new so far as invention is concerned, but more and more are they considered necessities in our American life in every part of the country.

And I have been interested this morning in seeing these new homesteads—not just the buildings, not just the land that they are on, not just the excellent landscaping of the trees among which those homes have been set, but rather the opportunities that those homes are giving to families to improve their standard of living.

And finally, my friends, there is one significant thing about all that you are doing here in Tupelo, that others are doing in Corinth, in Athens and Norris, and the various other places where accomplishment can be seen today—aye, the most important thing of all I think is that it is being done by the communities themselves. This is not coming from Washington. It is coming from you. You are not being Federalized. We still believe in the community; and things are going to advance in this country exactly in proportion to the community effort. This is not regimentation; it is community rugged individualism. It means no longer the kind of rugged individualism that allows an individual to do this, that or the other thing that will hurt his neighbors. He is forbidden to do that from now on. But he is going to be encouraged in every known way from the national capital and the State capital and the county seat to use his individualism in cooperation with his neighbors’ individualism so that he and his neighbors together may improve their lot in life.

Yes, I have been thrilled by these three days, thrilled not only in the knowledge of practical accomplishment but thrilled also in the deep-seated belief that the people of this Nation understand what we are trying to do, are cooperating with us and have made up their minds that we are going to do it.

And so, in saying “Good-bye” to you for a short time—because I am coming back—I ask all of you, throughout the length and breadth of the Tennessee Valley and those areas which form an economic portion of that Valley, to remember that the responsibility for success lies very largely with you, and that the eyes of the Nation are upon you. I, for one, am confident that you are going to give to the Nation an example which will be a benefit not only to yourselves, but to the whole one hundred and thirty millions of Americans in every part of the land.

modern day technological advancements are constantly seen throughout every aspect of life. cell phones, portable internet availability, laptop computers, ipods, mp3 players of every brand, and many other devices, are everywhere. they seem to possess unending possible detriments, but, along with such issues, technology also has positive impacts on today’s youth. in some situations, the internet and ipod prevent sociability, though in others they may be the cause of increased social activity. overall, modern technology has the capability to bring people together as well as enhance the social abilities of the today’s youth; however, if used without discretion, can also create a less interactive generation, frequently depending on technology for contentment.  

the immense capabilities of the internet today are astonishing, and offer many positive opportunities for teens. primarily, the internet makes sharing information fast and simple, despite factors that in other cases would prohibit such simple distribution. according to jean-francois coget in source c, “with the internet, information can be transmitted and received with ease at any time of the day to and from any number of friends.” it is possible to send videos, pictures, papers, projects, and a quantity of other things with the click of a button. the transfer can happen in seconds. the amazing capability of modern day internet simplifies teenage life, by providing a way to convey knowledge. another way in which internet proves positive is by providing a way to keep in touch with friends and family worldwide, or just across town. whether it’s a friend that switched schools and is never around, or a family member in london, the internet makes it possible to email, instant message, and even video chat. such qualities of internet communication bring people together with more frequent contact, boosting sociability and relationships. in addition, the internet also has the capability to, “foster openness, self-confidence, and a greater sense of ease, and comfort in dealing with others” (source c). since it is not obligatory to reveal physical appearance or social status over the internet, it grants an opportunity to be a completely new person, who is entirely open and confident. internet chats, even with mere acquaintances, can supply a chance for socially challenged teens to experience a form of social interaction, in order to create a sense of composure. modern day internet advancements not only offer an easier way to share information, but also contribute to sociability by providing a way to communicate with distant friends and family, as well as giving socially challenged teenagers an opportunity for interaction.

likewise, another modern day technology, the ipod, may also have a positive effect on some teenagers, by presenting a different view of the world as well as uniting individuals through musical taste. in the eyes of kelly doyle-mace, in source d, “music deepens the experience of walking through the world, rather than detracting from it.” there are millions of songs out there, one to match every possible mood. sometimes, turning on just the right song can be motivational and provide a completely new outlook on a certain circumstance. in addition, lyrics are often relatable to personal life and can be significant or simply encouraging. another way in which ipods and personal musical taste is a positive effect on teens is by uniting people of different backgrounds and diversities through their music choice. lisa and johnny rocket, hosts of “ipod dj nights,” describe that one night a month they invite guests to bring their ipods to a london bar. where they can play whatever songs they choose (source d). “even more diverse than the music are the members… the ipod acts to bring people together,” lisa explains (source d). these gatherings prove that as diverse as music can be, it is also unifying. the multitudes of people attending these parties, from every race background and belief, are united through their assorted music taste. ipods have the potential to positively affect today’s youth by matching any and every mood with music, resulting in a deeper walk through life, as well as bringing people together by means of musical interest.

the alternative argument is that the internet can be a significantly negative influence on teenagers, if overused. constant internet use detracts time that could be spent with friends and family. hours wasted away typing useless messages is detrimental to personal relationships with the ones who really matter. it was discovered through a study in pittsburgh that people who use the internet most often are “spending less time talking with their families…keeping up with fewer friends” (source b). it is of no use to spend so much time talking to people over the internet, when one could just as easily walk down the stairs and spend time with family, or go to see friends instead. according to source