The excerpt from Shirley Chisholm’s speech creates a mood of determination and urgency. Her assertive language, such as "let me note and try to refute," establishes a confident and confrontational tone, challenging the audience to reconsider their misconceptions about women's rights. Chisholm’s use of stark contrasts—highlighting the scarcity of women in leadership roles versus their presence in lower-paying jobs—evokes a sense of injustice and frustration. By emphasizing the stigmatization of women who defy traditional roles, she fosters empathy and solidarity among listeners. Overall, the combination of her passionate arguments and pointed observations cultivates a powerful call to action, motivating the audience to acknowledge the need for change.
"Shirley Chisolm Speech"
by Shirley Chisolm
Let me note and try to refute two of the commonest arguments that are offered against this amendment. One is that women are already protected under the law and do not need legislation. Existing laws are not adequate to secure equal rights for women. Sufficient proof of this is the concentration of women in lower paying, menial, unrewarding jobs and their incredible scarcity in the upper level jobs. If women are already equal, why is it such an event whenever one happens to be elected to Congress?
It is obvious that discrimination exists. Women do not have the opportunities that men do. And women that do not conform to the system, who try to break with the accepted patterns, are stigmatized as ''odd'' and "unfeminine." The fact is that a woman who aspires to be chairman of the board, or a Member of the House, does so for exactly the same reasons as any man. Basically, these are that she thinks she can do the job and she wants to try.
Equal Rights for Women, Shirley Chisholm, May 21, 1969
Question
Use the passage to answer the question.
Write 4–5 sentences describing what mood this excerpt creates in the reader or listener and how it creates this mood.
(4 points)
1 answer