Cesar Chavez Nonviolence Ethos Analysis

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“When you lose your sense of life and justice, you lose your strength.” (Chavez line 71). Acts of hate and discrimination have always existed and will continue to. Wars have been fought, and lives have been lost to achieve so called “World Peace”. Violence is not the answer to the problems facing the human race. From a person or a society, morals demonstrate what they believe in and suggest what they’ll choose. Choosing nonviolence keeps a strong sense of life and justice that build a society’s strength. Cesar Chavez's passage on nonviolence and differences it makes uses repetition and ethos to appeal to readers. His strong argument places emphasis on choosing humanity over all.
The idea that people suffer from violence and choosing nonviolence …show more content…

The way it negatively affects people is seen all throughout the passage. “The people of the land are the ones who give their bodies and don’t really gain that much for it. We believe it’s too big a price to pay for not getting anything.” (Chavez line 81). Not everyone is directly affected by violence, but those losing loved ones and living in worlds full of crime or hate are. The author uses ethos to show the other side of the population who are defenseless. By seeing the other side empathizing with his view becomes easier and makes more sense. “Thus, demonstrations and marches, strikes and boycotts are not only weapons against the growers, but our way of avoiding senseless violence that brings no honor to our community.” (Chavez line 58). Riots and destruction could easily take place currently in protesting Donald Trump becoming president or in trying to advocate Black Lives Matter. Acts of violence and destruction can’t lead to anywhere good. Speaking to readers on a more personal level and expressing emotions on what he feels and his supporters feel inspires similar feelings to all who read the passage. “We are not blind to the feeling of frustration, impatience and anger which seethe inside every farm worker.” (Chavez line 46). Sympathizing with those affected by acts of violence creates a stronger and more compelling