A Rhetorical Analysis Of Speech By Cesar Chavez

Cesar Chavez was a Mexican-American farm worker, his social and economical status was one of the worst in the U.S. society at the time, in contrast, he strived and succeeded in his goals, he reached sky high for his thirst of equality and rights for the minorities, nevertheless achieving this through peaceful, non-violent tactics, he fought for several causes and people, Chavez was a force to be reckoned with because he never gave up and he was never afraid of the consequences of his decisions because he knew what he was doing was right, and this mindset made all the difference when it came to sacrifice what you had for the wellness of others.

Cesar Chavez was born in Yuma, Arizona on March 31, 1927, according to United Farm Workers. Growing up, Chavez experienced the feeling of unfairness. In United Farm Workers, Chavez’ father agreed to clear a piece of land that was 80 acres. According to the agreement, in return, Chavez’ father would get 40 acres of land. The United Farm Workers website stated that the agreement was infringed. Because of this, Chavez’ father came to the conclusion that he should hire a lawyer. As stated in United Farm Workers, Chavez’ lawyer suggested that he take out a loan. Unfortunately, things did not go as expected for Chavez’ father. In United Farm Workers, the father could not afford to pay back the money. Around the late 1930s, Chavez and his family moved to San Jose, California. There, they lived in a poor neighborhood called Sal Si Puedes (Get Out If You Can), according to United Farm Workers. Chavez then wanted to get an education in order to escape poverty, but this soon enough did not work out as expected, as stated in United Farm Workers. Chavez’ father had gotten in a car accident, but at the same time Chavez did not want his

First, Chavez provides strong pathos, ethos and logos to convey the power nonviolent actions have to change the world for the better. He applies ethos to show that nonviolence is something that people are drawn to. In fact Chaves presents a great nonviolent advocate who lived during the segregation: “Dr. King’s entire life was an example of power that nonviolences brings...” (Chavez 1) His nonviolent approach to difficulties still have a huge aftermath in our world and change it for the better. The author really emphasizes the trueness of King’s character and his example to our struggling lives to make a better world. Additionally, Chavez uses emotion to change the readers view to the capability nonviolence has. For example, “We are convinced that when people are faced with a direct

One of Chavez’s most well-known protests is the Delano Grape Strike. Chavez is well known for this individual strike because he was specifically asked from the Filipinos, who were the peoples that were affected so they started the strike because of bad pay (90 cents an hour) and horrible working conditions. Cesar accepted the invitation from the Filipinos because he felt as though this strike could have been helpful towards his protesting causes. This strike focused on the pay, working conditions, and the land owner’s violent actions towards the farm workers. Cesar new the fight for these rights was not going to end anytime soon. The most challenging factor in this strike was keeping all the other farm workers fighting for their right as Mexican American farm workers. Some of the supporting men on the strike were starting to resort to the same violence they received from their employers. Cesar devoted this thought from his head as well as the men who came up with it, because he believed that nonviolent actions forced you to be more creative, in other words, it lets you keep control of the offensive, which is highly important in winning any contest, or in this case protest,

This article gave us a rough idea about the public 's response to Cesar Chavez 's actions. It tried to report all sides of the conflict. The public had mixed views. Some supported Chavez 's cause and offered to do anything to support him. Others were angry with Chavez because they didn 't feel he had a just cause, and they hated paying more for their produce. This article also gave Bishop Donelly 's views on Chavez. This was a valuable resource in that it better described both sides of the issue. Giving both sides created balance in the information offered and allowed me to make an informed decision.

Throughout his speech there is a determined and insistent tone. Chavez asserts repeatedly that nonviolence is the only way for change to happen. The repeated use of “we”, “us” and “our” conveys the message to the audience that he is one of them. Chavez can relate to the farm workers based on his credibility (ethos) because of his past. Chavez went to work on the farm fields at a young age and knew exactly how the frustrated workers felt. In addition, referencing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the text further established Cesar Chavez’s ethos. King was someone who was revered by proponents of civil rights. Associating an audience with a prominent figure such as Dr. King adds to the credibility in the rhetor.

In the first paragraph Chavez mentions Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, stating that Dr. King’s “entire life was an example of power that nonviolence brings…” This reference to Dr. King causes those who know of his impact to realize that he lead a strong historical example of what nonviolence could achieve. By using Dr. King as an example it indicates that Chavez thinks that if nonviolence had heavily impacted the past, then it would most likely do the same in the present and future. Chavez also makes a reference to Gandhi and his nonviolent boycott in India, claiming that what he taught “is the most nearly perfect instrument of nonviolent change.” By using the word perfect to describe Gandhi’s teachings of nonviolence, it further supports Chavez’s stance for nonviolent resistance. The two allusions to historical figures develop Chavez’s argument as they remind him and the audience of how large of an impact nonviolence had on the world in the past and how it could be applied to the

The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. devastated a large majority of people around the world. His works of nonviolent acts against racism motivated many, including civil rights activist Cesar Chavez, to solve matters without resorting to inhumane behaviors. Inspired by Dr. King Jr.’s work, Chavez and his union of labor workers devoted themselves to helping those in need through peaceful protests. Similar methods are proven to be successful; Mahatma Gandhi, for instance, gained a great deal of supporters because of his pacifism and tranquil methods of boycotting against British domination. Despite brutal and savage methods of persuasion slowly gaining support, Chavez proves that nonviolent actions are superior; he does so by using ethos in order to uphold moral standards, logos (in reference to the past), and pathos to appeal to the emotions of his audience.

To begin with, Chavez uses logos in his speech through a rhetorical question, “Who gets killed in the case of violent revolution? The poor, the workers.” The people who are arguing for violent revolutions are mostly poor workers whom Chavez refers to. Chavez uses logic to show these people that if they use violent revolts, they are most likely the ones going to be killed which for the most part will deter the people who are aiming for this. Another appeal Chavez uses is ethos to show everyone as people we are expected to do the right thing. In the speech he says, “We are convinced that when people are faced with a direct appeal from the poor struggling nonviolently against great odds, they will react positively.” This appeals to peoples’ morals by saying people are expected to react in a positive way when dealing with struggling

In “Lessons of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” there were 3 specific cases that stood out where you can see Chavez’s uses words to influence people. He was speaking to a crowd at a protest for the anti-pesticide movement and the people there mostly supported him, but they still needed to be inspired to take action. Chavez is saying how that they have been fighting this for a while and that “it should be clear to all of [them] that there is an unfinished agenda” and that although they’ve started working, they still “have miles to go before [they] reach the promised land” (13). Here Chavez uses charged language to appeal to his audience’s emotions. He wants them to realize that they still have a lot of

For instance, in paragraphs twenty five through twenty seven he uses repetition to emphasize the understanding from the audience to on how the farm workers are going to progress through the life when they were expressed by the growers with complete disapproval to have pride and confidence towards oneself. Therefore, by using that repetition he uses a authoritative and sympathetic tone and gives the audience a strong connection with Chavez was discussing about. Another example, in paragraphs sixty through sixty three mentions how the promises for farm workers in after the election of Deukmejian, they were promised false hope, for instance they right to vote and the right to negotiate with the employer in a civilized manner was all a hoax. The farm workers were going to be thrown from their rights and the unjustful condition will continue for them with no mercy whatsoever. However, towards the end of the speech, Chavez speaks about the future, describes how the future will look like – that they will be growth of Hispanics and their children will be consisting purely of farm workers, and not dominated by growers. By addressing this hopeful glimpse to the audience he was able to raise the confidence of farm workers and Americans about the situation that was present at the time, and be seen realistic goal to overcome. In addition at the last three paragraphs, one hundred and

The story says that “The Association was a group of people who helped farm workers have better rights and better pay.” Chavez and his supporters successfully improved the lives of farmers and farm workers. The story states, “Through boycotts, hunger strikes, and marches, they made a difference for everyone.”These days he still inspires community activists and politicians. The story states, “His speeches about justice, community, and education still resonate…” In 2008 Barack Obama adopted Chavez’s motto “Si, Se Puede.”The story says, “Barack Obama adopted it as his campaign slogan.” Obama used it because he wanted to inspire people like Chavez. Senator Robert F. Kennedy described him as one of the best heroic figures of all time.”

Mexican immigration has been a controversy in the United States before 1980. According to Jie Zong and Jeanne Batalova, Mexican immigration can be divided in three waves: the first one, before World War two, the second one started with the Bracero program, and the last one after it. Nevertheless, Mexican immigration can be seen as something threat or as the opposite, a benefit to the country and it all depends on which side you want to be. The American, Cesar Chavez who was a farm worker, also creator/leader of the United Farm Workers Union, influenced ad contributed to United States history by using Mexican’s “dignity” and nonviolent strategies to showed Americans that Mexicans could accomplished hard work and being successful for the country.

Cesar Chavez was an important Hispanic person during the civil rights movement. Being a farm worker and a labor leader, he dedicated his life to improving farm workers working conditions, treatment, and celery. He was born near Yuma, Arizona, on March 31, 1927. To help the farm workers get better conditions, Cesar Chavez helped change the law in favor of the labor workers. But that wasn’t easy, he fasted a million times, and organized many protests. Cesar Chavez is an honorable hero that we should be all inspired by his accomplishments.

At the start of the text, Chavez bluntly states to the reader the partnership of nonviolent