Rhetorical Analysis Of Mayor Landrieu's Speech
Striking language is a powerful tool when used effectively. Politicians must carefully plan their diction to avoid having their words and ideas misinterpreted. With this in mind, Mayor Mitch Landrieu, of New Orleans, recently gave an address before the controversial removing of a monument to Confederate general Robert E. Lee. In his speech, Mayor Landrieu has to justify and explain in a way that will not cause major ripples on either side of the issue. To achieve this, he brings in quotes, facts, and historical connections to voice his stance. The speech starts out with a short welcome message which leads into an overview of the rich history of New Orleans. In the opening line, he thanks the people that are present to open the audience to
…show more content…
On the topic of historical figures such as Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis, he asserts that people erected the statue as a part of a movement he calls “The Cult of the Lost Cause”. In addition to he claims that people used the monuments to hide the fact that the “Confederacy was on the wrong side of humanity”. Condemning the statues and historical figures in such a harsh tone might drive away the people that support them, but it draws in the people that are against them. In continuation, he adds that according to the Vice President of the Confederacy, Alexander Stephens, slavery is what the Confederacy fought for. Using these facts in an argument is very powerful because it is hard to argue against a fact. Another major part of his speech is the use of more personal anecdote where he is asked to imagine explaining to an African American child why those men were immortalized as statues. Playing on the audience’s emotions, he poses the question “Can you look into that young girl’s eyes and convince her that Robert E, Lee is there to encourage her?” This one question truly opens the eyes of the audience to the issue of glorifying the Confederate cause. Many of the audience members will be able to personally relate to this as many are parents themselves. Overall, Mayor Landrieu use of language opens the eyes of the audience and forces them to
On the topic of historical figures such as Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis, he asserts that people erected the statue as a part of a movement he calls “The Cult of the Lost Cause”. In addition to he claims that people used the monuments to hide the fact that the “Confederacy was on the wrong side of humanity”. Condemning the statues and historical figures in such a harsh tone might drive away the people that support them, but it draws in the people that are against them. In continuation, he adds that according to the Vice President of the Confederacy, Alexander Stephens, slavery is what the Confederacy fought for. Using these facts in an argument is very powerful because it is hard to argue against a fact. Another major part of his speech is the use of more personal anecdote where he is asked to imagine explaining to an African American child why those men were immortalized as statues. Playing on the audience’s emotions, he poses the question “Can you look into that young girl’s eyes and convince her that Robert E, Lee is there to encourage her?” This one question truly opens the eyes of the audience to the issue of glorifying the Confederate cause. Many of the audience members will be able to personally relate to this as many are parents themselves. Overall, Mayor Landrieu use of language opens the eyes of the audience and forces them to