Cesar Chavez Speech Rhetorical Analysis

Cesar Chavez voiced his opinion on why society should choose a nonviolent response instead of violent in a religious article on the tenth anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. As a labor union organizer and civil rights leader, Chavez understands how the use of nonviolence is powerful by experiencing the effects of peaceful protests to get a message across and attaining effective change without having to resort to violence. Chavez reaches out to his audience by stating that the epitome of an amicable life is that of a one that follows a non violent system of reasoning. He demonstrates his argument by using examples that are understanding to those who live in poverty and uses pronouns such as “we” to create a bond between his audience and himself in a means to inform others of nonviolence resistance. Chavez uses rhetorical devices such as ethos, pathos, and logos to justify his argument on the opposition towards …show more content…
If we fail there are those who will see violence as the shortcut to change.” He understands that change must take place, but reminds the readers, by using reasoning, that they must look past their frustrations to achieve true victory and avoiding “senseless violence that brings no honor to any class or community.” Chavez examines history and includes the fact that those in a violent revolution who die are the poor and they do not gain anything for putting their lives in jeopardy. He comments that the price of life is too great of a cost to risk for nothing in return; an indirect reference to the beliefs of God. To conclude his article, Chavez describes this oppression against nonviolence as vicious and declares that even though achievement of victory is very much awaited, the poor are willing to wait for