Rhetorical Analysis Of Caesar Chavez's Speech

In order to achieve true freedom one must discover that you can break unjust laws through peaceful protest. In “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and “The Speech at The March Washington” by Josephine Baker each article passionately argues about the disadvantages of the black community, the equality and power of education. We must learn to act with patients and not guns we must protect are self’s with a pen and paper not violence. Dr. King once4 said “Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon. It is unique in history which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals”.

In the introduction to Days of Obligation by Richard Rodriguez, Rodriguez encaptures the differences of societies within the nation of Mexico and state of California, both of which he is familiar with. Rodriguez informs the readers through different stylistic devices on the tragic society that is Mexico and comedy of California.  Its is targeted to general audience as he simply contemplates the differences between comedy and tragedy which he talks about as if to an outsider looking in. All in all, Richard Rodriguez attempts to convey the wisdom of both comedic and tragic societies and just how different they are.

In Leo R. Chavez’s ethnography, The Latino Threat: Constructing Immigrants, Citizens, and the Nation, the claimed problem of Latino immigration, specifically Mexicans, is tackled using interviews, statistics, and other works of literature. Chavez’s ethnography not only discusses Latino immigration but Latino invasion, integration, organ transplants and even Latina fertilization. One of Chavez’s big topics is on how the media influences the public to believe that Latinos are planning an invasion or take-over in order to gain the land that was originally Mexico’s. The topic of Latina reproduction and fertilization comes up multiple times through Chavez’s ethnography. Another main topic that plays a part in Chavez’s argument is the Latino role in public marches and the citizenship aspect of their actions. Chavez even discusses the role that children of

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.

The late twentieth century is the pinnacle of civil rights movements in the United States of America. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of many who held America’s hand into this time of racial metamorphosis, he was one of the main leaders of the Civil Rights until his tragic and violent assassination. To venerate the marking of ten years since King’s death, Cesar Chavez-- a labor union organizer and civil rights leader-- continues to uphold/argue King’s ideals of peaceful protest in this newspaper article by incorporating distinctive diction, alongside contrast and then progresses to reason with the morality and beliefs of the general american populace.

The civil rights movement was a strong topic of discussion in politics during the mid-twentieth century. Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most influential leaders of the civil rights movement, was assassinated which caused many protests and calls for violence. In Cesar Chavez’s speech, he is telling the people that nonviolence resistance is the best way to go about the situation. Chavez’s uses juxtaposition, diction, and rhetorical appeals to strongly convey his argument about nonviolent resistance.

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.

The Civil rights movement was a long and hard fight for freedom in our nation. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the many people who devoted themselves and fought for the movement. He did it in hope to make the world a better place. Outraged and indignant, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham city jail” addresses the events that took place in the name of freedom. Martin Luther King Jr. reflects on the events, through his use of tone, rhetorical appeals, and rhetorical tools.

“Si, Se Puede” or “Yes, You Can” helped Cesar stand up for human rights by believing anything is possible. Nelson Mandela did all he could to stop segregation in South Africa. Cesar Chavez did all he could to help farm workers have better rights. Both Cesar and Nelson did all they could to help their community and never gave up. They impacted the world with their big efforts.

Both lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and Martin Luther King's “I have a dream” speech are similar in that they both express the concept of freedom to achieve their purpose. However, they each have different ideas about freedom, and about what they want their audience to do. Both influential speeches rely heavily on rhetorical devices to convey their purpose.

“Students must have initiative; they should not be mere imitators. They must learn to think and act for themselves and be free.” -Cesar Chavez.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and

On April 4, 1968, Robert F. Kennedy gave his remarks on the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Robert’s goal was to inform people on Martin Luther King’s journey and to strengthen people’s attitudes on the whole situation. Robert’s main points throughout the speech were how the country as a whole should move forward, why the states should not resort to violence but unity instead, and he also addressed that the country needed unity, love, and compassion.

Nothing will be accomplished by staying silent. In a time of conflict, we have to stand up for what we believe in. In Elie Wiesel’s “Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech,” he delivers a powerful message “of peace, atonement, and human dignity” to humanity. He explains how we knew the right thing to do, but we stayed silent. In addition, Elie Wiesel says, “And then I explain to him how naive we were, that the world did know and remained silent… Silence encourages the tormentor never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere” (8). We have to stand up for our beliefs even at the toughest times and do what we know is right. Speaking up

To remind us what people, as a group, are capable of, Chavez emphasizes the value of nonviolence. Chavez repeats the word ‘nonviolence’ frequently to show how nonviolence is the best solution to any problem. In lines 13-16, Chavez uses the word multiple times to show that it “supports you if you have a just and moral cause” and “provides the opportunity to stay on the offensive” which is necessary to win anything. By repeating ‘nonviolence’, Chavez shows the readers that they can fix anything without the use of violence. Chavez also utilizes repetition to bring people together and illustrate how they are all in this (supporting nonviolence) together. Lines 45-48 use the words ‘our’ and ‘we’ multiple times to emphasize how there is a group of people standing up for nonviolence; you are not alone. Chavez emphasizes how there are groups of people who don’t support violence, and together they