Final answer:
Sonia's speech at The White House likely highlighted the severe racism in Mississippi and the struggle to find her missing son, using the 'Cotton Curtain' analogy to describe the barriers she faced.
Step-by-step explanation:
In her first speech at The White House, Sonia likely talked about the egregious racism prevalent in America, particularly in Mississippi. She poignantly described the anxiety and difficulty she faced while attempting to locate her son, drawing a comparison between the Soviet Union's 'Iron Curtain' and Mississippi's 'Cotton Curtain' which made it nearly impossible for her to find information.
Sonia aimed to expose the conditions that enabled her son's death and the hypocrisy within American democracy. In the broader context of White House speeches related to civil rights, figures like Eleanor Roosevelt and Marian Anderson have been noted for their efforts to advocate for racial equality, impacting perceptions and governmental stances on race relations.
Moreover, history has seen first ladies like Eleanor Roosevelt and Michelle Obama, as well as other figures such as Vice President Kamala Harris, speak on substantive issues and use their platform to advocate for policies and social changes. This shows the evolution of the roles of women in the political sphere from exclusive social functions to significant policy influencers and defenders of civil rights.