Question

In 1972, Shirley Chisholm became the first Black person to seek the presidential nomination from one of the two major political parties. Read Chisholm’s speech here. Then, analyze the rhetorical choices Chisholm makes to develop her argument that she should be the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee. in a paragraph

Answer 1

In her 1972 announcement, Shirley Chisholm uses a blend of ethos, pathos, and logos—along with vivid diction, repetition, and contrast—to argue that she should be the Democratic nominee. She establishes ethos by highlighting her congressional experience and moral integrity (famously calling herself “unbought and unbossed”), while also grounding her authority in lived experience and activism for women, the poor, and minorities; this both legitimizes her candidacy and distinguishes her from party insiders. Chisholm repeatedly uses inclusive pronouns (“we,” “our”) and specific policy concerns—poverty, education, the Vietnam War—to create emotional urgency and practical credibility, demonstrating that her campaign is rooted in tangible problems rather than mere ambition. Rhetorical contrasts between the powerful and the powerless, and between rhetoric and reality, sharpen her critique of the party establishment and make the case that a nominee who represents ordinary Americans is necessary for true democratic renewal. Her confident, plainspoken tone, strategic anecdotes, and direct appeals to conscience and solidarity work together to present her not only as a legitimate contender but as the embodiment of the party’s democratic ideals.