ipl-logo

How Does Kennedy Use Of Logical Appeals In Jfk Civil Rights Speech

785 Words4 Pages

In 1963, the governor of Alabama, George Wallace, attempted to block the admission of two African American citizens to the University of Alabama. Following this event, President John Kennedy presented a Civil Rights Address to the American citizens on June 11, 1963; this speech addressed the issue of racial discrimination, which was rampant during his presidency. In the 1963 Civil Rights Address, Kennedy effectively persuades the American people to accept the idea of desegregation by showcasing the hypocrisy of racial inequality, appealing to morality, and establishing his dedication to the cause. Kennedy begins his speech with a series of logical appeals. First, he reminds the American people that “this nation was founded...on the principle …show more content…

Through the years, America had been established as the unofficial world police. The country made sure to stand up not only for their own freedom, but the freedom of those all around the world. Kennedy acknowledges this by proclaiming that “today, [America is] committed to a worldwide struggle to promote and protect the rights of all who wish to be free...when Americans are sent to Vietnam or West Berlin, we do not ask for whites only.” Through this, Kennedy continues to point out the hypocritical nature of those who oppose equality of the races. He calls attention to how America does not favor white people when helping other countries achieve freedom-making it illogical to do so in America. This is effective because it shows that the previous notion of the nation being founded upon equality was not just empty words; the nation had acted upon those ideals when dealing with foreign affairs. This establishes that it does not make sense to promote equality around the world, when America is not yet equal. Therefore, it conveys the message that until segregation is outlawed, America’s core values of freedom that they spread around the world have no …show more content…

He questions “if an American, because his skin is dark, cannot eat lunch in a restaurant open to the public, if he cannot send his children to the best public school available, if he cannot vote for the public officials who will represent him...then who among us would be content to have the color of his skin changed and stand in his place?” With this, Kennedy uses an anaphora of the phrase ‘if he cannot’ to emphasize the lack of rights available to African American citizens. He closes the statement with a rhetorical question that allows the audience to empathize with this minority group by picturing how they would feel if they were facing the same discrimination. This is effective because it tugs on the hearts, and morality of each American citizen. It removes white citizens from their bubble of privilege, and reminds them that some of the basic rights they have aren’t received by everyone in the country. This realization creates feelings of pity and sympathy directed towards African Americans.Therefore, this makes the idea of desegregation more

Show More
Related

  • Lyndon Baines Johnson's Proposal For Future Welfare

    696 Words  | 3 Pages

    President Lyndon Baines Johnson, John F. Kennedy’s former Vice President, had magnificent aspirations concerning the future welfare of the country. At the University of Michigan’s commencement speech, exactly six months after John F. Kennedy’s assassination in Texas, Johnson spoke of his vision of ‘The Great Society.’ The intent of this vision was to transform the state of the U.S. and build a better, tougher, stronger nation that would be a witness to its own substantial progress through its domestic programs. It would be a nation where the whole society was cared for; it would be a nation where segregation and racism ceased to exist; it would be a nation where all were welcomed to come. He understood the undertaking that awaited him in the

    Read More

  • March On Washington Speech Rhetorical Analysis

    1236 Words  | 5 Pages

    I Have a Dream’s Rhetoric A momentous day in history is exalted by the enthralling speech and resonating imagery of a man whom wanted to make a difference. Just over 100 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was implemented, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a very riveting speech to over 250,000 Americans during the March on Washington, the nation’s largest demonstration of peaceful protest. With peace typically comes logic of which King very much emanated from his speech. With powerful rhetoric, King captivated an entire crowd and subsequently the entire nation with emphasizing while being freed from the travesty that was slavery people of color are still placed in chains by society’s gruesome yet commonplace demarcations.

    Read More

  • Four Freedoms Vs. Kennedy's Speech

    728 Words  | 3 Pages

    Delivering the speech, Kennedy expressed compassionate and hopeful words to his audience. His view of freedom is something that makes its way through peace and negotiation. Kennedy states, “Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us” (16). This is a perfect example of Kennedy’s meaning towards freedom. He wants all nations to look at the things that join them together and can relate to rather than the things that guide them away from each other.

    Read More

  • Remarks On The Assassination Of Martin Luther King Jfk Speech

    1369 Words  | 6 Pages

    Robert F Kennedy, in Remarks on the Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. (April 4th, 1968), argues that through tough times, no matter the color of one 's skin the nation needs to come together and support each other. He supports his claim by using repetition, allusion, and presentation skills. Kennedy’s purpose is to inform the audience of Martin Luther King Junior’s assassination and to convey the importance of coming together as a nation in order to get through the tragedy. Kennedy was advised not to attend the speech due to concerns of safety in the neighborhood, yet proceeded even when his security team did not. The speech was, other than a few notes, improvised.

    Read More

  • Ethos And Logos In John F Kennedy's Speech

    587 Words  | 3 Pages

    John F. Kennedy discusses and analyzes on how the nation differs from the past and present day in that time period. Kennedy narrators on the division and war in the the world to appeal to the audience patriotism by using pathos and logos. In this speech President Kennedy states “to thoses who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request; that both sides begin the quest for peace, before the dark power of destruction unleashed.” He uses this quote to obtain a logical appeal to the appeal to the people. Kennedy uses logos to show that he wants the nation to come together and be humble together in one peace.

    Read More

  • Anaphora In Jfk Inaugural Address

    553 Words  | 3 Pages

    In this momentous speech, Kennedy must persuade his fellow Americans that the best way for mankind to operate is to create a sense of peace and togetherness. He asks the citizens of the United States, “Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort? “ JFK realized that if he can bring together all nations, it would be a monumental landmark in history and could bring world peace, an idea long lost in history, back to the people. Kennedy uses a rhetorical questions to call upon man’s instinct to be known and go down in

    Read More

  • Jfk Inaugural Speech Rhetorical Analysis

    593 Words  | 3 Pages

    John F. Kennedy uses literary devices to capture the attention of the audience, sets himself equal to his audience getting their attention and support, and uses the christian religion to strike the emotions and gain the support of his audience. Kennedy uses many literary devices to catch the attention of his audience. One of these devices is repetition. One example of repetition that Kennedy uses is, “Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of A Talk To Teachers

    676 Words  | 3 Pages

    At the beginning of his speech, he conveys emotion through telling his own story and putting the audience in his shoes. He states “On the one hand he is born in the shadow of the stars and stripes and he is assured it represents a nation which has never lost a war. He pledges allegiance to that flag which guarantees "liberty and justice for all. " He is part of a country in which anyone can become President, and so forth”. This shows the audience how African American children feel when living in a country made on the premise of equality, but feeling anything but equal to their Caucasian peers.

    Read More

  • How Does Lyndon B Johnson Use Rhetorical Appeals In Civil Rights Speech

    820 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the 1960’s during the era of the Civil Rights movement, America had been divided by the voting rights that were not given to the African Americans. Although, a decade ago the African Americans had been freed from slavery, but they were still not considered “equal” because they weren't able to vote. The discrimination in the area even had political leaders affected, therefore many of those political leaders during that time attempted to put an end to the several agonizing events going on. Lyndon B Johnson, a white persistent president speaks out to the lawmakers using compassionate encouraging appeals about voting for Civil Rights, in order to unify the nation “to build a new community”. President Johnson utilizes many devices in his speech such as anaphora, emotional appeals, and

    Read More

  • Blacks In The North Dbq Analysis

    352 Words  | 2 Pages

    This changed the life of African Americans. Having African American’s not be slaves, and to have the liberty of living freely, and it allows African Americans to feel human, and not like animals. Allows them to choose their jobs and they way they want to live their lifestyle.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Robert Kennedy's Speech

    442 Words  | 2 Pages

    Robert Kennedy’s speech was given during a campaign rally in 1968, he broke the news to a crowd of supporters that MLK had been killed. This speech was analyzed through a PDF copy of the text. The purpose of RFK’s speech is to inform the audience of MLK’s death, create a sense of comfort and calmness. RFK includes a quote from the poet Aeschylus

    Read More

  • Emotional Appeals In Mlk Speech

    730 Words  | 3 Pages

    “...when you are harried by day and haunted by night by the fact that you are Negro, living constantly at tiptoe stance, never quite knowing what to expect next, and are plagued with inner fears and outer resentments; when you are forever fighting a degenerating sense of “nobodiness”- then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait. There comes a time when the cup of endurance runs over, and men are no longer willing to be plunged into the abyss of despair. I hope, sirs, you can understand our legitimate and unavoidable impatience.” (MLK, 276). King uses this strong sense of appeal to emotion to engross his readers and let them know how hard it is for them.

    Read More

  • Comparison Of Freedom Speech And Kennedy's Speech

    705 Words  | 3 Pages

    Kennedy starts off by telling us how the world and freedom is in major danger, being close to a nuclear war, telling us that it has the power to end the human species (3). The next point made is that we should “... never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate” (Kennedy 15). This means that we should negotiate to make a means with that someone not because we have to negotiate to stay safe from that someone. Kennedy then says that the goal would to have the world work together to explore problems, have a common arm control and be equal in weaponry power, and work together to unlock new sciences (16-18).

    Read More

  • Robert F Kennedy Speech Analysis Essay

    655 Words  | 3 Pages

    On April 4, 1968, Robert F. Kennedy was in Indianapolis for a campaign stop, when he received news that Martin Luther King was killed, causing Kennedy to write and deliver a speech regarding the assassination. This speech was succinct but not only was it about the assassination, it was also to tell the people there is still wisdom and hope in this time of turmoil. To reach this purpose, he first builds up his ethos, uses pathos to add mood and hope, and unifies the people. The combination of these elements makes it a very powerful and memorable speech. Robert F. Kennedy builds his credibility by relating his personal experience and knowledge of what the audience is feeling to the current events.

    Read More

  • Jfk Civil Rights Address Rhetorical Analysis

    642 Words  | 3 Pages

    John Fitzgerald Kennedy delivered his “Civil Rights Address” on June 11, 1963 to talk about how everyone is born equal and just because you are born with darker skin you shouldn’t be considered less of a person and have less rights. It was filmed in the oval office and broadcast on national radio and television. This speech is about equal rights for african americans. It was made because two black children had to be escorted to school by state troopers after numerous threats. John F. Kennedy used diction as well as logos and ethos to make listeners believe that his argument is right and they should take his side.

    Read More

More about How Does Kennedy Use Of Logical Appeals In Jfk Civil Rights Speech

Open Document