The public address of Afro-Americans currently relates mostly to their basic human rights as American citizens. Racism, either on an institutional or individual basis, permeates every facet of black life, and the public address and private communication of blacks focus largely on the experience of racism. Studies of public speaking by black Americans reveal a similarity of themes, based on six recurring topics: politics, housing, employment, education, public accommodations, and self-pride. As long as Afro-Americans are denied their basic human rights, their public addresses will continue to focus on these topics. (An outline for a two-semester college course in the public address of black Americans is included.) (RN)