Credible Sources In Shirley Chisholm's Speech

The 1960’s were a rough, yet progressive stage in American history. African Americans were finally labeled as equal to white men and women after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed. However, that bill was

Shirley Chisholm, first African American woman to be elected to Congress was born in Brooklyn on November 30, 1924. She is one of the most profound and admired women that challenged society not only as a woman, but a woman of color. She made many contributions to the women's movement and society.

Mrs.Chisholm displayed the characteristics of a true Visionary Leader by creating a vision of diversity. Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education [BCEE] (2016) defines “Diversity”, as personal life experiences, geographic background, socioeconomic background, cultural knowledge, educational background, work background, language abilities, physical abilities, philosophical/spiritual perspectives, age, race, ethnicity, and gender. In 1968, she achieved and promoted diversity by becoming the first African American woman elected to the United

• In Shirley Chisholm’s speech , she incorporates the rhetorical devices as persuasive devices to reveal her purpose. Her purpose is to show how not just black women are discriminated, but all women are discriminated. Shirley Chisholm is trying to persuade her point to House of Representatives for equal rights amendment. In this example, Shirley Chisholm uses the rhetorical device of ethos to reveal her purpose.

Barbara Jordan was a keynote speaker for the Democratic National Convention in 1976. She mentioned that about 144 years ago that the members of the Democratic Party first met in convention to select a presidential candidate; since then, the democrats have continued to meet once every four years and nominate a presidential candidate. The convention is a continuation of that tradition; but, there is one thing that is something different that night – Barbara Jordan was the keynote speaker. In 1832, no one would have asked Barbara Jordan to deliver the speech, especially if it was a woman. She didn’t want to spend during her speech – having the time to praise the accomplishments of the Democratic and attacking the Republicans – and she didn’t

In the speech, Equal Rights for Women by Shirley Chisholm, main rhetor in the speech. She is the first African American woman to be elected to Congress. She is part of the House, Representative in Washington D.C, from May 21, 1969, to 1983. She entered the primaries for the Democratic nomination for the presidency in 1972. Chisholm purpose is to fight for equal rights for all citizens, most specifically women. She wants to help as an advocate by providing more opportunities for women and encouraging women to do different men's work field, other than just working as a secretary, teacher, librarian, or to just be a household woman. She wants to eliminate discrimination; prejudiced on the political view of a woman. By analyzing Shirley Chisholm’s speech through rhetorical devices like the use of a strong tone, ethos, and logos, among others, this essay will seek to show how effectively Chisholm’s persuades the audience.

The sixties seemed to challenge basic American assumptions; the value of hard work and of traditional family values. “Middle” America formed 55% of the population, earning between $5000 and $15000 p.a. They lived between the city slums and the affluent suburbs, and were usually up to their eyes in debt. They wanted the law to protect them and their property. They believed in good manners, in respect for authority and the flag. The changes of the sixties left many of them confused and angry. They were not sure who to blame for social unrest. They were the silent minority that Nixon appealed to in his election campaign, and they helped him to victory. They were the resentment and reaction byproduct of social unrest. They worked to ensure their property and found it unfair that the government gave money to the people that did not work as much as they did. They wanted law and order. They wanted a state that provided security, response to the insecurity they felt in face of the students movement and the liberal culture. They felt ignored by the democrat government because they did not benefit from the financial help, house and health security.

Through Truth’s numerous rhetorical questions used in this speech, she has made a strong impact on her audience. Each question either precedes or follows a strong truth. By questioning herself, and being able to answer each question, Truth shows her understanding of society, and the mistreatment of women. She never wanted the audience to answer her questions, because the honest answers should be obvious.All of her hardships as a slave, and she is a women. When discussing intellect, she even asks, “What’s that got to do with women’s rights or negroes rights?” Her rhetorical questions were a unique way of bringing up obvious points, and forced her listeners to fill in the answers themselves. It would have grabbed their

European Rhetoric defines Ethos as “The mode of persuasion [that] deals with the character of the speaker. The intent of the speaker is to appear credible. According to Aristotle there are three prerequisites that are necessary to appear credible: Competence, Good Intention, Empathy” (Ethos). Before Barbara Bush could even take the podium her competence was already brought into question. Her competence became a national issue making headlines in the likes of The New York Times and Newsweek (Clift) such as this New York Times Article from May 4th 1990 which states “The conflict has centered on a protest by 150 Wellesley students who said they were ‘outraged’ by the selection of Mrs. Bush as the graduation speaker. They said she did not represent the type of career woman the college seeks to educate.” due to the fact that “Mrs. Bush dropped out of

Through Truth’s numerous rhetorical questions used in this speech, she has made a strong impact on her audience. Each question either precedes or follows a strong truth. By questioning herself, and being able to answer each question, Truth shows her understanding of society, and the mistreatment of women. She never wanted the audience to answer her questions, because the honest answers should be obvious.All of her hardships as a slave, and she is a women. When discussing intellect, she even asks, “What’s that got to do with women’s rights or negroes rights?” Her rhetorical questions were a unique way of

A personal ethos is another factor used in Chisholm speech, to convey women who have been discriminated of their gender. There has been unprecedented prejudice that tends to be ignored from people, since every time we think about prejudice we think about the black community. But that 's not the case, Chisholm confirms with her own personal experience that women, in general, are being prejudices in politics. Chisholm claims that “as a black person, I am no stranger to race prejudice. But the truth is that in the political world I have been far oftener discriminated against because I am a woman than because I am black”(Chisholm, 149). Her history as an African American woman, Congresswoman makes her claim, and for the courage, she took in entering the presidential nomination in the Democratic party in 1972, the speech she has to introduce makes it believable and gives credibility to the reader.

The past voting rights for African Americans have improved from 1870. The African American community had to fight and work very hard though to get these rights. They had to work though many things like jim crow laws to get their rights. They went from not being able to vote the first black president in American history. The history of the African American voting rights have changed a lot over the years but it was not easy.

The history of United State has shown many racial discriminations since colonists arrived America. African Americans have suffered unequal treatments and punishments in comparison to white people and European immigrants. Even when slavery was abolished in 1865, African Americans were still victims of many inequalities like employment, rights, housing, and transportation. However, due to these inequalities and mistreatments like the Jim Crow Laws, many African Americans started to make a change during the 1950’s, also called the Civil Rights Movement. Rosa Parks, that was arrested for sitting in the front of a bus in Alabama. Rosa Parks case made the supreme court to ban segregation in public transportation. The social difference during the 1950’s was very notable and obvious, and voting was a big example of the huge discrimination suffered by African Americans and minorities. In the south, white people would take away minorities’ right to vote by making them take a test that would decide if they were or not capable to make a political decision. Fortunately, big characters like Martin Luther King vouched for the end of this inequalities. Martin Luther King played a big role in the 1960’s making everyone aware about the change that was about to come.

In the 1960’s, black and white individuals were not recognized as being equal. The two races were treated differently, and the African Americans did not enjoy the same freedoms as the whites. The African Americans never had a chance to speak their mind, voice their opinions, or enjoy the same luxuries that the white people attained. Through various actions/efforts like the lunch counter sit-ins, freedom rides, and bus boycotts, the black people confronted segregation face on and worked to achieve equality and freedom.

A credible source is a source of good quality that a reader can trust to be truthful and believable, otherwise known as convincing or plausible. It is important to use credible sources to prove points because it enhances your own credibility as a writer by contributing to the effect of