African American Ethos Pathos Logos

Barbara Charline Jordan was the first African-American female to present a keynote address at a Democratic National Convention on July 12, 1976. Throughout her speech, she talked about how the job of the American people is to maintain a society where everyone gets treated equally and joined by the goal of the common good. She stated,”If one citizen is unwilling to participate, all of us are going to suffer”(Jordan 19). What good is a nation that is not unified? Using ethos, pathos, and logos, Jordan persuaded the unsure people of the United States of America that the Democratic party was a better platform to achieve the objective of the common good. Jordan started her speech by saying, “Now that I have this grand distinction, what in the world am I supposed to say? I could easily spend this time praising the accomplishments of this party and attacking the Republicans -- but I don't choose to do that”(Jordan 5). This creates a sense of trust, which develops ethos. She also has no bias in her speech,”Even as I stand here and admit that we have made mistakes…”(Jordan 14). This rebuttal demonstrates how she tries to convince the crowd that her argument is not

She speaks for those who feel like they do not have a voice. She displays this by stating,”Because we believe this idea so firmly, we are an inclusive rather than an exclusive party. Let everybody come”(Jordan 8). This idea demonstrates how everyone will be welcomed, and no one will be left out. It makes the audience feel accepted. Furthermore, Jordan also claims that “We believe that the people are the source of all governmental power; that the authority of the people is to be extended, not restricted”(Jordan 9). This statement shows that the whole party relies on what the people believe. Pathos plays a big part in Jordan’s speech. It is clear that her use of pathos is very effective in gaining more voters for the Democratic