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 paragrapgh

Answer 1

In her 1972 campaign speech Chisholm uses a blend of ethos, pathos, and logos along with vivid rhetorical devices to argue that she should be the Democratic nominee: she establishes credibility by pointing to her record and by embodying the party’s professed values as the first Black woman in Congress, frames her candidacy as morally necessary by invoking the struggles of women, minorities, and the poor to elicit empathy and a sense of urgency, and advances concrete policy concerns (jobs, education, health, peace) to give her case practical substance. She repeatedly uses concise, memorable phrases—most famously her slogan “unbought and unbossed”—and parallel structures and repetition to reinforce independence and consistency, while inclusive pronouns (“we,” “our”) and direct address invite listeners into a collective project. By contrasting the needs of ordinary Americans with the complacency of party elites and by blending personal testimony with broader social critique, Chisholm both humanizes the issues and positions herself as the principled, effective leader best suited to carry Democratic ideals into the presidency.