Rhetorical Analysis Of Equal Rights For Women

Jada Gaskill

Ms.Williams

Honors Literature And Composition 4B

February 2, 2023

Rhetoric Analysis Essay “The unspoken assumption is that women are different, they do not have executive ability, orderly minds, stability, leadership skills, and they are two emotional.” This was said by Shirley Chisholm in her speech Equal Rights For Women. Chisholm wrote the Equal Rights For Women in order to get the Equal Rights Amendment through the house of representatives. Chisholm experienced discrimination throughout her life because of her gender and race and felt that this amendment was necessary. Both women and African Americans in America had a lot of fortitude for, their ability to stand up and be brave during the harsh times of racial and gender discrimination.

Chisholm explains that she was more often discriminated against because of her gender than her race. Chisholm states,” 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.” (Page 1) Chisholm also uses ethos by sharing the experience of women. She states that often in the 1960s women would receive a gibe comment for applying to a job and, they would receive a similar response when advocating for equality. Chisholm states,” Mr.Speaker, when a young woman graduates from college and starts looking for a job, she is likely to have a frustrating and even demeaning experience ahead of her. If she walks into an office for an interview, the first question she will be asked is, "Do you type?'' (Page 1) This remains significant today because even now women do not have equal rights in the

Chisholm explains how disproportionate the amount of women in the United States is to the number of women working in the government. Chisholm states, “No women sit on the AFL-CIO council or Supreme Court. There have been only two women who have held Cabinet rank, and at present there are none. Only two women now hold ambassadorial ranks in the diplomatic corps. In Congress, we are down to one Senator and 10 Representatives. Considering that there are about 3 ½ million more women in the United States than men, this situation is outrageous.” (Page 1) Chisholm also uses logos in her speech by stating the faults in the fight for equality. Chisholm also compares the fight for the equality of women to one of African Americans in the United States by suggesting that both groups are having an unkempt fight in the same areas. Chisholm states, “It is true that part of the problem has been that women have not been aggressive in demanding their rights. This was also true of the black population for many years. They submitted to oppression and even cooperated with it.” (Page 2) These appeals of logos helped Chisholm convey her argument which is important because even now women do not have equal rights as we can see with unequal pay in the U.S. so, we need to use Chisholms convincing uses of logos to push for rights