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Rhetorical Analysis Of We Shall Overcome

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On March 15, 1965, one week after vicious beatings of African American protesters in Selma, Alabama, our 36th President Lyndon B. Johnson delivered an informative speech titled “We Shall Overcome” that would open the eyes of the caucasian people in congress. Johnson desired to have congress pass a bill for equality, and he addressed civil rights and racism between the voting poles. Throughout the speech President Johnson maintains a hopeful attitude with the assistance of strong and passionate parallel syntax and an affective tone following with good, positive, and projected vocals. Ultimately, Johnson wished to make a movement for equality for everyone in the United States to vote. Through the use of parallel syntax and repetition followed …show more content…

He does this to assert more power into the words the speaks to have a greater chance of them being heard, because speeches are meant to be seen and heard. When Johnson states in his speech that we are “to right wrong, to do justice, and to serve man” (Johnson “President”). Those words after he looks down at the podium and back up at the audience. (Johnson “President”). Possibly served to show how dramatic the events in Selma, Alabama were, and still had a weight on African American people in the United States. Johnson maintains his self control in front of the audience to help display his hopeful tone, that there will be equality in the Nations. Also, Johnson’s reserved posture and controlled gestures along with specific words choices served to give the audience a sense of clarity, that enough was enough and a change has to be made. Besides this, he rotates his eyes to make effective eye-contact across the room to perhaps to make the people realise they need to be involved in the matter, and everyone is responsible in the matter (Johnson “President” ). Indeed, this use of body language was important then, do to the beatings of African Americans that had taken place in Selma, Alabama. President Johnson needed to maintain a serious and calm posture to show, and not just tell the audience how important this was, and how important the fight for equality was for him and African American citizens in the United States. Even more, this is significant currently because if one man is not free then none of us are.

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