Summary Of Lyndon B Johnsons Persuasive Speech

Americans have lost their lives for centuries in exchange for our nation’s freedom, but is every citizen really free? President Lyndon B. Johnson addressed congress following a police beat down during a peaceful protest in Selma, Alabama. The protest led by Martin Luther King became a turning point in American history; attacks on African American’s at Selma sparked reason in the eyes of many. Johnson used his address to Congress as a call to action, his goal was to ensure freedom and equality for all citizens; they shall not be persecuted for the color of their skin. “We Shall Overcome” suggests that the text focuses on the constitutionality of the police beat down in Selma, Alabama and that the author is concerned with how our nation will

The usage of personal stories creates depth and dimension to the position he’s taken on the nation’s bigotry; the addition of quote for other significant civil rights activists add to his knowledge base and give Johnson a stronger foundation for his beliefs. He uses Abraham Lincoln’s civil rights movement to back up statements and positions he has taken on the horrific incident in Selma, Alabama. Appealing to Lincoln creates a precedent about his stance because of Lincoln’s impact on the civil rights movement; the usage of his name and actions builds Johnson’s credibility by using Lincoln’s as support. This speech was a call to action of the nation’s congress on racial differences, most bigotry was found in the south. “As a man whose roots go deeply into Southern soil…” was a portion of Johnson’s speech. He appeals to southern’s stating that he understands how the belief in white supremacy was a part of being raised southern but you can change your views. Johnson also talked about his first job at a Mexican-American school; he helps the children overcome the poverty they were born into. Teaching and working with the kids at this school allows us to see how significant his desire for change is. These children show how credible and serious Johnson is about making significant changes within America; he want’s to raise the next more accepting than the

Johnson says that the Americans have fought and died for two centuries in honor for our freedom and they will have lost their lives for nothing if our nation is unable to overcome the issues of racism. The deaths of many centuries of American hold close to the hearts of those who have lost family and friends in the fight for freedom. He states that the soldiers that have lost their lives in the fight for freedom were lost for nothing until every citizen is truly free. During his speech he described his first teaching job, he talked about the kids he taught and how they could not comprehend why people disliked them. Johnson was a teacher at a Mexican-American school, his heartbreaking experiences allow for a deeper understanding of what kind of person he is as well as the confirmation of significant issues that were occurring in the nation. He spoke of the children not understanding why they were