Mary Fisher gives a very compelling speech on the issue of HIV and AIDS at the Republican National Convention. The speech she gives is directed towards the Republican party, the millions of people who are suffering because of HIV and AIDS, and the nation as a whole. In the speech she uses many literary and rhetorical devices and key points to relate to the audience and to encourage people to do something about this issue. Fisher uses literary devices such as ethos and pathos in her speech. Fisher starts off with a bit of information to warn and tell us the risks of this serious epidemic, she says, “ Two hundred thousand Americans are dead or dying. A million more are infected. Worldwide, forty million, sixty million, or a hundred million infections will be counted in the coming few years.” These factual statistics are meant to warn the nation that we are all at risk no matter our race, political party, gender, age, etc. Fisher shows us that she is a credible source on this topic because she suffers from HIV and can relate to many people out there who also suffer from this virus. She also addresses that this …show more content…
Throughout Fisher’s speech she consistently informs us of the risks and to take a public stand and break the silence and stereotypes on this issue. She says HIV/AIDS affects everyone in the nation, whether you have the virus or your family member or friend has it. She says, “My call to the nation is a plea for awareness. If you believe you are safe, you are in danger. Because I was not hemophiliac, I was not at risk. Because I was not gay, I was not at risk. Because I did not inject drugs, I was not at risk.” This quote shows that we need to break the stereotypes of who can or cannot contract this virus because this woman who did not fit the “norm” was impacted by this virus and it also proves to show that anyone can get it and we must all care and fight for this