Lyndon B. Johnson's 'The American Promise'

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In “The American Promise” by Lyndon B. Johnson it is revealed that oftentimes a leader is necessary in order to begin a social movement. Lyndon B. Johnson was a civil rights activist who fought desperately- and eventually won- to allow people of any race the right to vote in America. In this particular speech, the former president demands that the American people recognize the hypocrisy that has been spread throughout the country, and pleads with the American people to unite and amend the wrongs that have been done. President Lyndon B. Johnson stresses varying syntax, numerous facets of allusion, and patriotic idealism within “The American Promise” to rally the American people. Lyndon B. Johnson enlightens the American people by using numerous techniques, one of those devices being exotic syntax. Within this speech, he utilized parallel structure to emphasize the need “to right the wrong, to do …show more content…

Lyndon B. Johnson’s main focus was bringing the citizens of the United States together and molding a precedent of equality. Without said precedent, America would not be the safe haven for freedom it is today. LBJ rallies Americans together when he calls for them, “I ask you to join me in working long hours, nights and weekends if necessary-to pass this bill.” Because of the strength the bill requires behind it, the president desperately needed the American people’s support. Without the people, it would have been impossible to pass, let alone enforce this new law. Spearheading the Civil Rights Act alone wouldn’t have worked because “the fact is that the only way to pass these barriers [unnecessary stipulations imposed so that blacks couldn’t vote] is to show a white skin.” African Americans were required to go through extreme conditions just to be allowed the chance to vote, and often they failed. Lyndon B. Johnson changed America for the better, and that is because of speeches such as “The American

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