Cesar Chavez Speech Summary

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life was devoted to fighting for what he passionately believed in, which was the equality for all people no matter their religion, dialect, gender, or what he is most commonly-known for, equality for all people regardless of the color of their skin. Caesar Chavez published this article on the tenth anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in order to invoke the ideals in which Dr. King most strongly believed, as well as to advocate for the nonviolent resistance that King frequently practiced. Caesar Chavez’s use of rhetorical devices, in specific, contrasting diction, or juxtaposition, as well as the constant use of the plural pronoun “we” help to drive his argument for nonviolent resistance

This is seen throughout the entire article, but specifically when he says things like “We are also convinced that nonviolence is more powerful than violence” (Line 12). He does this in order to show that together, they can make a change and that no one reader is alienated in their belief that protest of all kinds should be nonviolent. He creates a sense of community and a connection between his readers and himself by using the plural pronoun “we.” Additionally, he contrasts the plural “we” with the statement “those who will see violence as the shortcut to change.” (Line 47). This is extremely effective as he uses it, because he shows that the “we” he is constantly referring to is much different than the “those” who will utilize violence and essentially wreak havoc on the world. He makes the reader want to be a part of the “we”, and not the “those” when he contrasts the plural pronoun with other, non-inclusive words. Overall, by using the plural “we”, and contrasting the violent majority against the compassionate, “we” minority he is showing that with he use of this emotional appeal, the audience will be greatly swayed towards his side of the