Rhetorical Analysis Of Booker T. Washington

681 Words2 Pages

As we have moved from the stone age to the 21st century, several things have changed except for one thing, which is racism. Despite having educated people, why does racism still exist in our society? If we look back to the ancient world history, there are so many people who contributed their lives to end the root of discrimination. Booker T. Washington was one of the significant figures and the first African-American who got honored by Harvard University on 23rd June 1896. He was honored a degree from the Harvard University for working in the support of unprivileged Negro people of that time(Washington). He delivered the speech about the importance of equality and racial harmony among the white and colored people. In the given speech, “BOOKER …show more content…

Ethos is a rhetorical device that persuades the reader/audience through author’s credibility or character (Burton). In his speech, Washington frequently used “Harvard” from the very beginning. Harvard, a famous educational institution is a credential for every student to be successful. He gave credibility to the Harvard University for inviting him in the program and praising him for his work, even though he was of African- American race. Not only this, the use of words “Our Republic and Negro community” (Washington) and “We” (Washington) in the speech explains the desire of Washington to unify the country by maintaining the racial harmony among the white and colored people. Washington used suitable language in his speech and was able to establish the strong ethical appeals which make his speech more reasonable for the …show more content…

Pathos is the rhetorical device that is used to convince an audience of an argument by creating an emotional response (Burton). On his speech, Washington shared his emotions, “We are crawling up, working up, yea, bursting up. Often through oppression, unjust discrimination, and prejudice, but through them all, we are coming up, and with proper habits, intelligence and property, there is no power on earth that can permanently stay our progress” (Washington). He emphasized the struggle of colored people and how hard they worked to uplift the equality among the white Americans in the society. Through his speech, he mentioned that the Negro people were differentiated in the society and were forced to work with low wages in the fields and were not allowed to go to school. Due to continuous discrimination, the Negroes started thinking that they do not deserve freedom. Despite all racial tension, the Negroes found encouragement which inspired them to work hard and become a better person. They got better at the fundamental skills and reached the way up to victory(Negroes). Another example of Pathos is, “While we are thus being tested, I beg of you to remember that wherever our life touches yours, we help you hinder. Wherever your life touches ours, you make us stronger or weaker(Washington). By using this example, he was trying to tell

Open Document