In April 1861, one month into the Civil War, Alfred M. Green gave a speech to persuade his fellow African Americans to join the Union army and fight for their country. His practical usage of repetition, reference to religion, and comparison between blacks in the North and South encourages African Americans to join the Union army.
Through repetition of certain words, Green creates a connection between himself and his fellow African Americans. He begins with, “It is true,” in both the second and third paragraphs and acknowledges the struggles black Americans have faced in his country. It’s illogical that black Americans whose own country has oppressed and degraded them would fight along side the agents of their oppression. Addressing this point constantly, reinforces his argument by shutting down an attempt to block out the audience’s minds from listening to his reasons of why they should join the forces. Recognizing the inequality that exists by addressing specific points like the fugitive slave laws and the unjust Dred Scott decisions, reaffirms Green’s understanding of the struggles and injustices they face. He constantly uses “our,” “we,” and “us” to readdress that he is a part of them and in a way that their struggles are united. By talking about the injustice and imprisonment black Americans face and then using words like “we” and …show more content…
He uses repetition to focus on specific messages and build a relationship with the audience, refers to religion to unify Americans as well as make it seem that fighting for America is a responsibility they must complete, and compares black Americans in the North and South to build a stronger sense of unity. By the end of his speech, Green unites blacks and whites in the North and conveys that African Americans from the North are essential in the fight against the
Through repetition of certain words, Green creates a connection between himself and his fellow African Americans. He begins with, “It is true,” in both the second and third paragraphs and acknowledges the struggles black Americans have faced in his country. It’s illogical that black Americans whose own country has oppressed and degraded them would fight along side the agents of their oppression. Addressing this point constantly, reinforces his argument by shutting down an attempt to block out the audience’s minds from listening to his reasons of why they should join the forces. Recognizing the inequality that exists by addressing specific points like the fugitive slave laws and the unjust Dred Scott decisions, reaffirms Green’s understanding of the struggles and injustices they face. He constantly uses “our,” “we,” and “us” to readdress that he is a part of them and in a way that their struggles are united. By talking about the injustice and imprisonment black Americans face and then using words like “we” and …show more content…
He uses repetition to focus on specific messages and build a relationship with the audience, refers to religion to unify Americans as well as make it seem that fighting for America is a responsibility they must complete, and compares black Americans in the North and South to build a stronger sense of unity. By the end of his speech, Green unites blacks and whites in the North and conveys that African Americans from the North are essential in the fight against the