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Rhetorical Analysis Of Lyndon B. Johnson's We Shall Overcome

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President Lyndon B. Johnson’s speech “We Shall Overcome” focuses on the issue at hand African Americans rights as not just people but citizens of the United states. Delivered in 1965 he aimed at the issue that happened in Selma, Alabama where civil right activists were protesting for their right to vote but were brutally beaten. Johnson’s audience is everyone. He wants the suffering of people to come to an end and form that nation that once chose to right the wrongs of the world. Johnson's speech argues that there is “no Southern problem. There is no Northern problem. There is only an American problem.” stating that we as a nation are bringing conflict towards one another simply due to the fact we are not the same color. He urges the people not based on their positions but rather the fact that they are all Americans and he wants the freedom that their past ancestors died for to be granted to every man and woman. He states that “Every American citizen must have an equal right to vote.” There has been every attempt from reciting the constitution to misspelled words to prevent blacks from voting. Johnson …show more content…

The time for action as Americans in now the bill will not be the end to the conflict but rather a stepping stone toward the fight for one and every of your fellow Americans to have not just their right to vote but their human rights as individuals. He asked for the help of the people to join him in the fight to heal the wounds of prejudice that have been embroidered in one another and to build a new community. Johnson points out that not only blacks have faced challenges but there are many white who are living in poverty and are scarred by the fear of the never ending battles of whites and blacks. The opportunity to thrive and flourish is out there and waiting but letting go of the past is what's preventing you from that future ahead as he said the promise is unkept. The time of justice has now

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