Alfred M. Green was an African American leader who gave a famous speech on the future of his people. In this speech, he used persuasive techniques to inspire hope and change in his audience. By understanding these methods, we can learn how to be more effective communicators ourselves.
Green begins by appealing to his audience’s sense of identity. He talks about how African Americans have been discriminated against and oppressed, but he also highlights their accomplishments. This creates a sense of pride and unity among the listeners.
He then asks them to consider what their future could hold. He paints a picture of a better world where they are treated with respect and equality. This inspires hope and motivates them to take action.
Finally, Green calls on his audience to take responsibility for their own future. He urges them to work hard and stay focused on their goals. This is a powerful call to action that can lead to real change.
By understanding these methods, we can learn how to be more effective communicators ourselves. Green’s speech is a great example of how to use persuasion to achieve positive results.
Persuasion is the impact of beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, intentions, and other such things on a person’s or group’s attitude or behavior regarding an event, concept, object, or person. Albert Green cleverly combines connection and inspiration to persuade his fellow African Americans to enlist in the military. He reaches out to them by not just using unifying language but also appealing to their emotions through references to their shared historical sufferings (“sires”) and “sires’” fathers.
He also inspires them with words of hope for a better future, one in which they will be respected and recognized as full citizens. Green argues that by enlisting and fighting for their country, African Americans can earn the right to be called true patriots. In this way, he attempts to reframe their sense of self and purpose, from that of second-class citizens to proud defenders of the United States.
Throughout his speech, Green masterfully weaves together various strategies of persuasion in order to create a powerful and moving call to action. By understanding how he does this, we can better understand the art of persuasion itself.
Abraham Joshua Heschel, in contrast to other literary works such as Frederick Douglass’s autobiographies and Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essays and speeches, connects with his fellow African Americans by adopting unifying language rather than separating himself from them and singling out individuals in the audience, in an attempt to persuade each and every one of them separately through the appeal of logic, as is done frequently in the creation of persuasive speeches.
He does so by employing phrases like “we” instead of “you,” “I,” or “ours,” and “yours” instead of “mine.” His tone appears genuine and heartfelt because to this simple switch in phraseology.
Furthermore, by using the first person plural point of view, he is able to gain trust from his audience because he is including them in his speech as a part of the group that will be fighting for change. Another way he uses pathos to connect with his audience is by constantly referring to the future and what could be done if African Americans unite and have faith.
For example, he states that “ours is not a hope merely–it is a firm reliance” which instills a sense of hope in his listeners that change is possible and that they should not give up. Green also employs various other techniques throughout his speech, such as anaphora and allusions, which add to the persuasion of his message.
Alfred M. Green’s Speech was a very important one during his time because it urged African Americans to unite and have faith for the future. Through his use of pathos, Green was able to connect with his audience on an emotional level and persuade them to fight for change. By using unifying diction, he created a sense of trust and sincerity which led his listeners to believe that change was possible. Green’s speech is an excellent example of how persuasion can be used to bring about social change.
Through the term “brethren,” Green is able to create a religious bond. The formal word for brother in numerous ancient religious texts predating the 12th century is “brethren.” Using commonly known phrases that are associated with African Americans of this period, many of whom are very devout Christians, Green aspires to connect with them on an emotional and spiritual level.
By using “brethren,” Green is not only able to address the crowd as a whole in a way that makes them feel comfortable and unites them under a common cause, but he is also able to tap into their already existing sense of community. This technique would be highly effective in persuading the African American citizens to come together and fight for their future.
Alfred M. Green’s speech was an important moment in African American history. Through his use of persuasive techniques and emotional appeal, Green was able to unite the African American community and give them hope for the future. His speech is still studied today as an example of effective persuasion.
He also communicates with his audience by alluding to their shared history, which goes back to Washington and the Revolutionary War.
“He draws attention to the failures ‘to bring [them] into public view as citizens’ and ‘abuse caused by fugitive-slave laws’… ,” Dred Scott decisions, indictments for treason… These acts of humiliation, injustice, and abuse are not hidden from Green; he asserts that it is their “duty … is to quibble about ancient wrongs.” He tells his fellow African Americans that the real responsibility for their future is getting an education.
Alfred M. Green’s speech was a persuasive one, aimed at convincing his audience of African Americans that they needed to get an education in order to secure a better future for themselves.
He appealed to his audience’s shared history and common experiences of discrimination and abuse, using these examples to illustrate why it was so important for them to focus on the future and not dwell on past grievances. Green’s speeches were effective in motivating many African Americans to seek out educational opportunities, helping to pave the way for future generations of successful black professionals.