Rhetorical Analysis On Cesar Chavez

Cesar Chavez was a Hispanic migrant worker who fought for the rights of other migrant farm workers. His strategy for fighting inequality was through nonviolent strikes, boycotts, and marches. In this interview of him by a Christian magazine, Chavez uses logical and religious appeals, and allusions to justify his usage of nonviolent resistance in order to gain civil rights. Chavez believes that, from a moral standpoint, violent revolutions can only lead to suffering and corruption. In the fourth sentence of the article, Chavez uses a religious appeal. “Our conviction is that human life is a very special possession given by God to man and that no one has the right to take it for any cause, no matter how just.” Chavez believes that all human life, even those who oppressed him and his people, is precious. He states that God gave human’s life, and what God has given man shall not take away. While he mentions God nowhere else in the

A logical appeal is used in the quotation, ”If, for every violent act committed against us, we respond with nonviolence, we attract people’s support.” It stands to reason that those who commit atrocities will not be supported en masse. However, what commands real respect is the ability to have grace under fire. When one is being attacked without due cause, people will attempt to help the victim, not the aggressor. Therefore, the most logical way to gain support for one’s movement is to turn the other cheek. Chavez also uses a logical argument when he references a recurring theme throughout history. In almost every violent uprising, it is the poor who end up with the most casualties. Therefore, if Chavez uses violent tactics, those he led would be the ones hardest hit, not those who supported the system. For them, it would be economically and strategically infeasible for them to keep up the attack. In Chavez’s reasoning, the most rational course of action is to refrain from