Lbj Analysis

On Monday, March 15, 1965, President Lyndon B Johnson addressed the nation by delivering his “We shall overcome” speech in response to a fatal racial brutality that had erupted in Selma, Alabama a week prior. African Americans were attacked by police while preparing to march to Montgomery to protest voting rights discrimination. Johnson's speech warrants consideration on its rhetorical meaning due to its lasting contribution to U.S. political and rhetorical history. The speech’s significance lies in the creation of meaning of equal voting rights. Through his words, the nation's problem of voter discrimination becomes apparent. He directs his focus on what defines the nation, "the American Promise." The interpretation of those words rationalized a direct passage of the federal voting rights law.

In 1965, the central focus became voting rights for African Americans and white southern opposition. Many southern states had routinely been denying blacks their constitutional rights. “the number of black men and women in the South who actually cast a vote was far smaller than the number registered; in no way were black Americans realizing their political potential.“ (Caro) On a surface level, President Johnson was responding to the recent attacks in Selma. On a deeper level, we see him attempting to gain a greater general trust with the Americans and civil rights members. Due to his past actions, civil rights members felt Johnson was not on their side. “...they were singing the same song that was being sung that week in Selma, Alabama: "We shall overcome." They were singing it in defiance of Johnson, because they didn't trust him. They had reasons not to trust him. Many civil rights leaders felt that Johnson wasn't helping them nearly as much as he could have - and that in fact he never had“(Caro) By analyzing the words behind the speech, we begin to sense Johnson’s deep commitment to equal opportunity and fairness. Through that commitment, he attained an alliance with the majority of less fortunate Americans. He wanted to prove his loyalty to all disadvantaged Americans, not just one group. As president, he was ultimately responsible for what happens to the people in his country. He could no longer represent only a given few, but now had to represent everyone. In a direct way, his key audience was congress. However, if we look at the full meaning, it becomes clear that Johnson was calling out to all American people, specifically to southerners and African Americans, by urging them to unify and defeat their differences.

Regardless of President Johnson’s motivation, he appealed to his audience by linking his personal experiences and the notion of the “American promise” to an immediate call for action. The speech as a response to the event in Selma was strategically delivered at a time where Americans were still in the process of shaping their views and opinions about what had just happened. The power of the speech was partially due to Johnson’s ability to use the exigency of the event to draw attention to the imperfection of voting equality within the government. At a moment marked by urgency and chaos, Johnson's message supplied direction and clarity. In addition to responding to the anger and disappointment of African Americans after the Selma March incident, Johnson also directed attention to the larger goal of American opportunity. He pointed out that the lives of American people are not only based on chance but also on the structure of power and opportunity created by the government. Johnson’s speech carried many goals, but mostly he directed his arguments to support making African Americans a true part of the American political life. His argument stated that America is a country that promises equal opportunity and rights to all its citizens, and we should pass a law that enables the same process for all citizens to seize that opportunity. He argues by doing so we fulfill our American promise and become a nation that sets an example of unification to the rest of the world. His use of “the American promise” framed equal voting rights as an essential American principle. “The American Promise”, refers to the cultural belief the country is founded on. The belief that “all men are created equal”, and thus should have equal opportunities and rights. The word "promise" in his speech signified the nation's pledge and its potentiality. The use of “The American Promise” made it distinct that guaranteeing African Americans equal access to the grant was critical to the America's purpose. Another way the rhetoric in Johnson’s speech was used to influence his audience was his deliberate use of personal examples. By revealing a part of his past to the audience, he brings himself out of the presidential role and on level with the common American man. “As a man whose roots go deeply into Southern soil, I know how agonizing racial feelings are. I know how difficult it is to reshape the attitudes and the structure of our society.” (S). He identifies himself with the audience again this time through the use of the word “we”. He unifies all American people as a collective force, and reiterates that collective force should stand for the fundamental principal America was founded on. The word “we” is a strategic way for him to gain alliance of his audience during a time where diversity is more prevalent. Ironically, we see the president use “we” again, this time to align himself with civil rights protestors. Deliberately using “We shall overcome “the same phrase the protestors chanted out, reverses its symbolism, and aligns him and his views with that of theirs. Prior to giving the speech, protestors were chanting “we shall overcome” in opposition; Johnson effectively legitimized the protest movement by changing the meaning of the chant to unity. This resulted in “we shall overcome” becoming known as the anthem of civil rights movement. (Caro) The language appropriately frames public considerations. Through oratory they help form and seal equal voting rights as a key American value, by emphasizing the words “freedom” and “equality” he rhetorically changed the meaning to redefine how Americans overcome challenges throughout history. By asserting his leadership role as president to enact a change in congress, Johnson gained credibility through the eyes of Americans. He illustrated his intelligence and education when referring to his past as a teacher; he demonstrated his goodwill and character when speaking about moral duty of America. “All Americans must have the privileges of citizenship, regardless of race, and they are going to have those privileges of citizenship regardless of race. “ (S) Johnson also established credibility within his speech by aligning his audience's view of America with his own ideology and value system. His rhetoric is used to change America from a place of prejudice to a place of unity and equality. By demonstrating his credibility he is able to effectively convince men and women of the sincerity in his argument.

We see the three dimensions of authority apparent throughout the organization of the speech. The most obvious being the political and the ceremonial, referring to what should be done in response to the Selma incident, and what should be done in response. We also see Johnson using the forensic division to justify the voting rights act by tying it into what has already happened in history.(E) The tone he carried in the speech was that of objectivity, assertiveness, unification, and optimism. Johnson's style included the use of biblical allusions to appeal to a mostly Christian nation. At times, he changes the style of his language to direct his speech to different parts of the audience. For example, he refers to himself as “your president” calling upon the attention of the south, by mimicking their style of speech. There is also a distinct use of repetition, not only to clarify his point, but also to assure that people from all social classes grasp his words and concepts.

Johnson’s speech successfully set out to do what it intended to by persuading not only Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act, but also influencing all Americans "fulfill the rights that we now secure."(S) The effectiveness becomes prevalent in two ways. First, it accomplished the established goal, Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law on August 6. (History) Second, the power of the rhetoric resulted in a shift in the mindset of the initial protestors.” When the motorcade returned to the White House, the protesters were gone.”(Caro) By sharing personal experiences, he allowed the audience to perceive discrimination through his own eyes. It aroused feelings of comfort, hope, and alignment in his African American audience. By focusing on equality in voting rights, he gained the support of civil right movement members. Through his call to congress, he reasoned for the democratic process to allow African American’s a resolution to their grueling road to the American promise.

The U.S. Confronted one of the most complex and controversial eras with the civil rights issues in its history. Due to the persuasive appeal of Johnson's speech, the U.S. provided a measure of equality for its black citizens. The rhetoric in “We Shall Overcome” provided the guiding principle to the Civil Rights Movement. Johnson addressed the nation in a manner that recommended his message would surpass the present state of exigency facing the nation.