How can the power of words bring about a positive change in a community?

Words can bring positive change to a community, be it a small town or the entire world - all it takes is two key components, delivery and content. This was certainly the case with Clarence Darrow’s 1926 concluding speech in defence of African American, Henry Sweet, accused of the murder of a white man. Darrow’s monumental eight-hour speech set a legal precedent when Sweet was acquitted of his murder charge. The speech, “Changed the status of Negros before the law and meant in respect to defending ones home and self in self defence, what applied to whites now, in practice and not just in word, apply to African Americans as well.” Clarence Darrow’s speech, along with Henry Sweet’s acquittal, is now considered huge milestone in the civil rights movement.

Another example of the power of words bringing change to large communities is President John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s inaugural speech in 1961. In one short speech JFK brought hope to a nation, flung 1960’s into a new era and told the world that America would not back down when it came to the protection of their people and borders. The speech was so successful that it is still seen as the benchmark for presidential inaugural speeches over 50 years later. For these men, delivery and content were key to their achievements, they were used with such success that these men changed the world for the better.

In 1926, Henry Sweet, a 21 year-old black man, was put on trial for the shooting murder of a white man who was invading Sweets’ brother’s family home. Clarence Darrow, seen, as the spokesman for the underdog was Sweet’s attorney. In his many decades as an attorney Darrow defended over a hundred people on death row for murder, never once losing - Henry Sweets’ case was no exception.

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...nd to ensure his offer of peace was heard among all. JFK uses juxtaposition heavily in this piece, contrasting phrases were seen throughout the speech, phrases such as, “not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not a call to battle, although embattled we are...” Another heavily used technique would be anastrophes, for example, “ask not,” and “dare not.” Anaphors were also used though this speech, this was to get Kennedy’s point heard loud and clear, which was important to bringing change among the American population.

Through the power of words, Clarence Darrow and John F. Kennedy were able to create major change to huge numbers of people all around the US and throughout the world. How were they able to bring positive change to a community? These men were able to bring positive change to a community though two things, what they said – and how they said it.