Civil Rights Rhetorics Analysis

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Charly Spiker Rhetorics of Civil Rights Dr. Thornton October 15 2013 John Tower Essay The civil rights movement, like many things in history, has those who support civil equality and those who are against it, even if ever so subtly. The rhetoric that comes into play from individuals who find themselves on the opposition rarely has blatant racist characteristics. In fact, it is much more common for the rhetoric to play on freedom and hide the undertones of segregation and racism. The phrasing and word choice highlight the rhetorical tactics, as well as put the claims into context with other historical events. Many citizens mimic Wallace’s rhetorical tactics by appealing to individual and state freedom from the federal government, as well as his calls to religious appeals and the freedom blessed upon the great South by God himself. With the rise of the Cold War, the United States was placed in the middle of a global communist war, and any rhetoric that would paint the American people and government as a dark shadow of inequality would only counteract the efforts to disenfranchise communism around the world. The majority of the rhetoric, especially in the media, presented against the civil rights movement was carefully chosen to avoid being construed as directly racist. The media also helped persuade and guide the rhetoric that constituents, especially in the white south, used to engage with their state leaders, urging for a strong stance against the civil rights legislation. With the help and encouragement of Governor Wallace in August of 1963, the people of the South had the conviction and speech to voice their opposition without violating the preservation of the American image. Despite the majority belief, in order to win the Cold War, the United States needed civil rights, because “the whole world was watching.” Even though opposition had been voiced
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