Analysis Of Shirley Chiisholm's Equal Rights

Before the 1960s women rights was a very sensitive topic. Women had no rights so there basically was no discussion. Women were expected to remain submissive and do only what they were told. The 1960s is when a union of women were formed and decided to take action to have equal rights not only for whites and blacks but for women as well. Shirley Chisholm was one of these women. In her “Equal Rights for Women” speech, she decided to speak out about acquiring equality for women by establishing an affirmative case for the Equal Rights Amendment. Shirley Chisholm delivered her speech on May 21, 1969 in Washington, D.C., to push for the equal rights amendment in essence to ensure women’s rights and roles within society. By using Aristotle’s theories of persuasion, Chisholm peacefully presented “a proposal that has been before every Congress for the last 40 years and that sooner or later must become part of the basic law of the land -- the equal rights amendment.”(Chisholm). By applying ethos, pathos, and …show more content…
Chisolm wished to achieve rights for everyone but ironically the speech was effective mostly for the 1960s time period. While the equal rights bill has been received and adopted, women as well as various races, do not have the rights that should be considered equal. Rights In conclusion, Aristotle’s rhetorical theory of artistic proof made it possible for Chisholm to persuade congress to pass the equal rights amendment. Her smooth transition into each appeal, usage of tone, diction, further gathered her speech and made it into an impeccable work of art. Chisholm in result persuaded her equivalent lawmakers to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment to “protect all working people, to guarantee them fair pay, safe working conditions, protection against sickness and layoffs, and provision for dignified comfortable retirement because men and women need these things