Lyndon B. Johnson's 'The American Promise'

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

justice, to serve man.” The president’s main goal is to pull America onto his side of the fence, to convince them to change their way of thinking. LBJ’s efforts for an American realization are expressed when he claims that, “there is no cause for pride in what has happened in Selma. There is no cause for self-satisfaction in the long denial of equal rights of millions of Americans.” The American people had no right to be smug or proud of the denial of rights that they’ve imposed on people of color, nor did they possess the right to take pride in the tragic events in Selma. According to Lyndon B. Johnson, the people of America should be putting forth their strongest efforts to unite and become one people, instead of a divided and discriminatory nation. LBJ’s use of intricate syntax strengthens his argument for a united America, as does his intelligent placement pf multiple types of allusion.
There are both biblical and historical references within “The American Promise”. Matthew 16:26 reads, “What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” The president is referencing this in correlation to America’s progress as a country; what is America truly worth if it prospers economically but not morally? The real question is how the United States can become a civilized and advanced nation if we do not unite and strengthen as one. Lyndon B. Johnson references the documents our nation was founded on such as, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, “the great phrases of that purpose still sound in every American heart, North and South: “All men are created equal”-“government by consent of the governed”-“give me liberty or give me death.”” By recalling these documents, LBJ reminds the audience of the desperate fight that our founding fathers fought for the right to be free; that these documents do not say “all men are created equal-except men of color”. The former president brings the American people into reality with allusion and ups morale with true patriotism.
Patriotic ideals are the root of “The American Promise”.

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

Promise”.
Due to LBJ’s incredible illustrations of syntax, allusion and patriotism, The American people were eventually moved to support the Civil Rights Act. Lyndon B. Johnson was able to change the ideals of a nation of people who were extremely set in their ways. When a leader is able to rally a group of people together, mountains can be moved.