Ever since Aristotle, we have sought to identify the ethos, pathos, and logos used to strengthen arguments and presentations. Indeed, we can find these forms of rhetoric when examining the speeches of Fannie Lou Hamer and Stokely Carmichael, as well as in non-violent protest videos.
Addressing the Credentials Committee, Hamer immediately establishes ethos by being straightforward and honest, stating her exact street address. By revealing her whereabouts, she sends the message that she has nothing to hide. Her involvement in the civil rights movement thus far (she has permanent kidney damage from a police beating) further establishes her credibility. She uses plain-spoken language and ample dialogue, which presents her as a personable, honest person.
Carmichael also commands respect because of his background (ethos), which includes becoming honorary prime minister of the Black Panthers and a leader in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. He is well educated in the great philosophers of Camus and Sartre; this contributes to his ethos. Carmichael reasons his way through several issues (logos), such as the assertion that recent legislation is for the white people, not blacks ("I knew that I could vote and that wasn't a privilege, it was my right... somebody had to write a bill for white people to tell them... don't bother him"). An example of logos also occurs when he mentions the statistic of 94% of black children still living in shacks.
The videos evoke emotions of sympathy and outrage (pathos), as we are shown how peaceful blacks at sit-in demonstrations were mercilessly beaten. The clips are credible (ethos) because they are a primary source of what occurred during that time, and involve interviews with whites and blacks (including some high ranking officials, like mayor of Nashville), and those for and against integration.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
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4 comments:
I think you're completely right about how Hamer and Carmichael demonstrated their points through the use of ethos, logos, and pathos appeals. I think that when you are trying to make a point, all kinds of appeals should be present and related in some way. After all, you need logic to persuade, credibility if you want everyone to believe you, and emotion to let people know that you are human.
It seems like you think that Hamer's speech mostly appealed to credibility and I think so as well. I think both Hamer and Carmichael needed ethos the most in order to reach out to their audience, especially during the civil rights era.
I thought your blog was very well written. I agree with the point you made that the documentaries appealed more to pathos then anything else, as they appealed to our emotions a great deal. I also agree that Hammer and Carmichael alike used their appeals to ethos to form their speeches and appeal to very different audiences.
I just want to point out that Alex does a nice job of working from direct quotations in order to support the points that he wants to make. This is something useful when writing your own papers. Nice job!
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