In Montgomery, Alabama, 1963, Governor George Wallace made an Inauguration speech to the political figures and citizens listening to explain why the government is abusing their power, how to stand against the tyranny, and what he wants America to be like. Additionally, he includes comments about separation segregation between races. By using dramatic pauses, wrathful, accusing tone and diction, and religious appeal, along with frequent gestures to the audience, he inspired the south and increased racism in his audience while also promoting the state power over central power.
With a convicting and hateful tone, Wallace directs the audience to feel hatred and fear in their hearts for the government and racial issues. Wallace blames the government …show more content…
While speaking, he points to the audience when he mentions that “we will not tolerate their [the government] boot in our face no longer” (Wallace). This pointing makes the audience feel an increased obligation to not tolerate the government at its current state. Moreover, he signals to the audience when he says that “we must re-define our heritage, re-school our thoughts… in order to function and to grow and to prosper” (Wallace). These stern gestures are especially important when saying that the audience must do something, for it reinforces his words by letting the audience know that it is every one of them that he is talking to, not the legislature and representatives. This is significant because the audience back then may have been looking to others for change, so he is telling them that the power is in their hands. This is significant today, for when there is something in our government that we do not like, we do have the power to stand against it so long as we the people work to fix it. If we do not let the power stay in our hands, once again, we would no longer be a …show more content…
Throughout his entire speech, Wallace mentions God as the answer to everything. He inspires his audience by saying “where there is faith, there is no fear, and where there is fear, there is no faith” (Wallace). Shortly after, he mentions that “we are become government-fearing people… not God-fearing people” (Wallace). All these references to God stir the emotions of the religious audience members; it makes them have a greater urge to act upon his claim because their religion calls upon it according to Wallace. This is very significant because the South in the 1960’s was known to be made of the hardcore christian conservatives. By referring to God, he has a huge target demographic that is now listening to all that he says. Currently, this tactic won’t work anymore since most of America will be disengaged by the mention of religion. Because of this, we can apply religion to politics within the confines of what separation of church and state allows, but we have to be careful to engage the complete audience, not a certain demographic. Broadening your demographic will bring more people into your side, and that unity will make for a more effective
With a convicting and hateful tone, Wallace directs the audience to feel hatred and fear in their hearts for the government and racial issues. Wallace blames the government …show more content…
While speaking, he points to the audience when he mentions that “we will not tolerate their [the government] boot in our face no longer” (Wallace). This pointing makes the audience feel an increased obligation to not tolerate the government at its current state. Moreover, he signals to the audience when he says that “we must re-define our heritage, re-school our thoughts… in order to function and to grow and to prosper” (Wallace). These stern gestures are especially important when saying that the audience must do something, for it reinforces his words by letting the audience know that it is every one of them that he is talking to, not the legislature and representatives. This is significant because the audience back then may have been looking to others for change, so he is telling them that the power is in their hands. This is significant today, for when there is something in our government that we do not like, we do have the power to stand against it so long as we the people work to fix it. If we do not let the power stay in our hands, once again, we would no longer be a …show more content…
Throughout his entire speech, Wallace mentions God as the answer to everything. He inspires his audience by saying “where there is faith, there is no fear, and where there is fear, there is no faith” (Wallace). Shortly after, he mentions that “we are become government-fearing people… not God-fearing people” (Wallace). All these references to God stir the emotions of the religious audience members; it makes them have a greater urge to act upon his claim because their religion calls upon it according to Wallace. This is very significant because the South in the 1960’s was known to be made of the hardcore christian conservatives. By referring to God, he has a huge target demographic that is now listening to all that he says. Currently, this tactic won’t work anymore since most of America will be disengaged by the mention of religion. Because of this, we can apply religion to politics within the confines of what separation of church and state allows, but we have to be careful to engage the complete audience, not a certain demographic. Broadening your demographic will bring more people into your side, and that unity will make for a more effective