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We Shall Overcome Speech Ethos Pathos Logos

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After the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, Lyndon B. Johnson become the 36th president of the United States. Johnson delivered a speech known as the “We Shall Overcome” speech which played a huge role in the voting rights for African Americans in the late 1960s. Throughout his speech, Johnson used ethos, pathos and logos to persuade his audience that all men are created equal and should be given a fair chance to vote. American was split during the 1960’s over the voting rights of African Americans. Before 1869 when the 15th amendment was passed, the only citizens allowed to vote in the United States were white men. African Americans were discriminated against at the time and were not allowed to share anything with white people and that also meant they were not allowed to vote. After several years of fighting for equal rights among all men the 15th amendment was …show more content…

Although there were several events that treated African Americans unfairly throughout the 1900s, the attacks in Selma, Alabama, were what really sent everyone over the edge and encouraged Johnson to write this speech. He knew that the attacks on theses innocent African Americans would provoke a sense of emotion throughout America, which is why he continued to mention the tragic event that took place in Selma, Alabama during his speech. Because people were already torn about what happened on “Bloody Sunday” it was easier for Johnson to use pathos to gain more support. Johnson also appeals to Americas emotions by using words such as denial, discrimination and brutally, because he was trying to provoke anger within the citizens. The angrier a person becomes the more likely they are to want to fight back, and in this case, they would want to fight with Johnson to allow equal voting rights for all

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