The Voting Rights Act Rhetorical Analysis

Throughout his speech to Congress in support of the Voting Rights Act, President Lyndon B. Johnson employs a clear strategy to garner support from both Congress and the American people. Johnson appeals to the patriotism, character, and pathos of his audience by citing historical events and documents, shaming the American people for their systematic oppression, and revealing the plight of both poor whites and the African American citizens as a result of the attempt to uphold segregation and racism in America. Firstly, President Johnson utilizes historical American documents in his speech to sway his audience. In the first paragraphs of his speech, President Johnson mentions unifying moments of American history “in man’s unending search for freedom” at Lexington and Concord as well as Appomattox. Johnson realizes all of his audience knows of Lexington and Concord and Appomattox, so he connects these events with Selma in order to stress the

Johnson stresses that the issue of equal rights for African Americans is one built upon the foundations of humanity, compassion, and honor. He emphasizes the gravity of this issue by claiming that to ensure African Americans the right to vote is more vital to the core of American principles than to “double our wealth and conquer the stars.” President Johnson also asks the American people what there is to gain economically if the country as a whole were to lose its soul. Appealing to the pride and honor of Americans in their country was also another purpose of President Johnson citing both the Declaration of Independence and Patrick Henry in his speech. In addition, he admonishes the lack of progress on racial matters following President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Johnson repeatedly emphasizes that a century has passed since the “Negro was freed,” and still African Americans are subject to outright discrimination and