Obama Exhilarates, Inspires at Rangoon University

Analyzing Southeast Asian perceptions of President Obama, I use this article on Obama's visit to Rangoon University in Myanmar to hone in on public opinion specifically amongst the youth. The selection of verbs in this piece to describe Obama's effect on his college audience is very telling of the author's attitude towards the President. In the first sentence, for example, Colin Hinshelwood writes that Obama "inspired and exhilarated" the "star-struck" students. There was "rapturous applause and screams of excitement," as he spoke, and the quotes Hinshelwood includes from students at the event sheds a highly laudatory light on the President. This article is important on two levels: first, the fact that Obama engaged in such a speaking event with Burmese students indicates the type of reception he received in Myanmar. And secondly, the tone of this piece, which is in line with other articles about Obama in Burmese media, corroborates positive public attitudes.

http://www.dvb.no/news/obama-exhilarates-inspires-at-rangoon-university-...