I believe that using emotional tactics to connect with one's audience is the most effective way to be persuasive. In the Freedom Marches clips, we have seen how awfully African Americans were treated during their protests for equal rights. We saw how submissive African Americans were to Caucasians, as they were subject to unfair, and sometimes cruel treatment. I really felt empathy for the marchers as I saw they walked almost sixty miles to have their voices heard. Along the way, they had to stop and ask the white men if they would be allowed to pray. This scene in and of itself captured my emotion. Seeing hundreds of people, black and white, joined together in prayer for the same purpose was truly engaging. The Freedom Marches clips also really engulf viewers with the sense that all African Americans were peaceful, sane, patient, good people. This image of the submissive group helps to show that African Americans didn't deserve the unfair treatment, torture, and setbacks they received. It also goes to show that the marchers were very determined to gain their rights and would stop at nothing to get them.
Cindy Sheehan's speech was very informal, and not very informative. She used her son's death coupled with her personal opinions about Washington politics to persuade marchers to march down Congress on a Monday afternoon. What makes her credible is that she has undying support for the cause she believes in, and has evidence to support her claim that all war is evil. She is credible as a leader of this cause because she obviously is not afraid to take a strong stand and protest using colloquial words and phrases that her audience can connect with. She says "George Bush has shit on us, and I'm tired of being shit on!" Although this is not the most proper way of describing the situation, I'm sure her audience agrees, and is evoked to act after hearing her speech. I thought it was altogether effective.
I'm still chewing on the Malachi Richter protest but can say that any self immolated martyrdom shows absolute support for a cause and is to be revered with the utmost admiration.
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I agree that Malachi died for a just cause, and I respect that he did something to further support his cause. However, I think he could have chosen a way where it could have been more effective. He also could have thought more about the consequences of committing suicide. He left pain behind for his family and co-workers, and the Iraq war is still going on. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think he should have lived and spoken out. After all, in the United States, even one voice can be heard by all.
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