Nonviolence Rhetorical Analysis

497 Words1 Page

Throughout the 60’s, the Civil Rights Movement took charge in the U.S. and was heavily led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his ideas of demonstrating nonviolence. On the tenth anniversary of MLK Jr.’s death, labor union organizer and civil rights leader Cesar Chavez published an article championing MLK Jr.’s ideas of nonviolence. In his article, Chavez utilizes contrasting diction and inclusive language to emphasize the importance of nonviolence in the hopes of calling his audience to participate in meaningful nonviolent action. Firstly, Chavez employs contrasting diction throughout the article, to illustrate the effectiveness of nonviolence. Chavez states that nonviolence “supports” the people and “provides” “opportunities” which are done so …show more content…

Chavez further emphasizes that violent actions “escalate” quickly and only hurt the movement by worsening tensions between people. Chavez’s use of negative contrast forces the audience to understand that violence does not help reach the goals of the Civil Rights Movement, but instead makes the problem worse. Overall, Chavez employs contrasting diction to motivate the audience to understand the importance of nonviolence and implement nonviolence when they want to make a change. Furthermore, Chavez uses inclusive language throughout his speech in order to demonstrate that all people are needed in the nonviolent fight for equality. Chavez talks about how “we (the audience) are convinced that nonviolence is more powerful than violence” and that “if we are committed” then “we will beat” the problem. Chavez intentionally uses “we” and includes the audience to push them to feel connected and inspired by nonviolent actions Through his direct inclusion to the audience, Chavez creates a unionized group that will support the nonviolent movement

Open Document