Equal Rights for Women

Equal Rights for WomenShirley Chisholm

BackgroundBorn November 30, 1924 in New York City.Was a child to immigrant parents from Barbados. Attended Brooklyn College and joined debate team. Earned a masters degree in early childhood education.

Audio SnippetNo video was recorded during the time of her speech because it was given during a congressional session. However, here is a video recapping Shirley Chisholms life and effects she had on womens rights by giving this speech. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x95RqRHGVvg&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

Giving the Speech Myself

Subject & PurposeSubject: The subject of this speech is equal rights. However, it is centered on the rights of women. More than half of the population of the United States is female. But women occupy only 2 percent of the managerial positions. They have not even reached the level of tokenism yet No women sit on the AFL-CIO council or Supreme Court. There have been only two women who have held Cabinet rank, and at present there are none. Only two women now hold ambassadorial rank in the diplomatic corps.Purpose: The purpose was to address the negligence America showed in providing equal rights for women. Considering that there are about 3 1/2 million more women in the United States than men this situation is outrageous.

Occasion & AudienceOccasion: Shirley Chisholm was addressing The United States House of Representatives on May 21, 1969 in Washington, DC. Mr. Speaker Audience: The United States House of Representatives.

Speaker & ToneSpeaker: Shirley Chisholm is a very credible speaker due to her personal experience with prejudice. She experienced this in the political world not only because she was African American, but because she was a woman. As a black person, I am no stranger to race prejudice. But the truth is that in the political world I have been far oftener discriminated against because I am a woman than because I am black. Tone: Inspiring, Urgent, Informative, and Persuasive.

AnalysisWhy is it acceptable for women to be secretaries, librarians, and teachers, but totally unacceptable for them to be managers, administrators, doctors, lawyers, and Members of Congress? This quote should strike the attention of males as well as females. Men were allowing women to have the responsibility of educating their children or even handling the documents at their jobs. This is alarming because if their opinions of women are true that they cant have great or important roles in society, it diminishes the value they have for their children or work place. If a woman is so called incompetent, why would you allow her to handle important files or more importantly teach your children? The answer to this question is simple. You wouldnt allow an incompetent woman to have these responsibilities. The men knew the women could perform great tasks, they just didnt want to share superiority with the opposite gender.

AnalysisWomen need no protection that men do not need. What we need are laws to protect working people, to guarantee them fair pay, safe working conditions, protection against sickness and layoffs, and provision for dignified, comfortable retirement. Men and women need these things equally. That one sex needs protection more than the other is a male supremacist myth as ridiculous and unworthy of respect as the white supremacist myths that society is trying to cure itself of at this time. This segment of the speech illustrates who Shirley Chisholm is as a person. Shes fair, just, and determined to do whats right. Her focus shifts from women to people as a whole. The quote men and women need these things equally supports the fact that she isnt just fighting for women, but shes fighting for the greater cause; equality for everyone in her country. It also makes room for more admiration, because shes unbiased. This one quality can cause her to be loved by people of all race, gender, and culture.

Major PremiseIt is obvious that discrimination exists. Women do not have the opportunities that men do. Like the prejudice against African Americans, the prejudice against women was no secret. Because of the way they were born, a group of people (women) are denied equal opportunity. During this time men had the upper hand and they would not change that.

EthosBut the truth is that in the political world I have been far oftener discriminated against because I am a woman than because I am black. This makes Shirley Chisholm a more credible speaker because she has personal experience. She has been discriminated against more than some women because in addition to her misfortune in gender, she is also African American. The audience can better respect her, because of her personal encounters.

PathosMr. Speaker, when a young woman graduates from college and starts looking for a job, she is likely to have a frustrating and even demeaning experience ahead of her. If she walks into an office for an interview, the first question she will be asked is, "Do you type?'' This appeals to the audiences emotions because it causes one to place themselves in a womans shoes. When looking for a job, the first thing they will encounter is a swipe at their dignity. A womans intelligence, character, and personality is automatically shot down because of gender prejudices. They are judged before they are even known.

LogosIt is obvious that discrimination exists. Women do not have the opportunities that men do. Shirley Chisholm knew that this statement was common sense within itself. Discrimination is not hidden. It makes sense for her to emphasize this, because her focus is the lack of rights for women. It reiterates her message to the audience.

RepetitionIt has been observed before, that society for a long time, discriminated against another minority, the blacks, on the same basis - that they were different and inferior. But the truth is that in the political world I have been far oftener discriminated against because I am a woman than because I am black.Prejudice against blacks is becoming unacceptable although it will take years to eliminate it. But it is doomed because, slowly, white America is beginning to admit that it exists. Prejudice against women is still acceptable. It is true that part of the problem has been that women have not been aggressive in demanding their rights.As in the field of equal rights for blacks, Spanish-Americans, the Indians, and other groups, laws will not change such deep-seated problems overnight. Throughout this speech, the words discriminated, prejudice, and rights are repeated constantly. The three terms were apart of the vernacular during the time of segregation. Prejudice and discrimination were used repeatedly to emphasize the lack of rights for women. The terms expound the speakers purpose in her argument and fight for equality. In addition to this, I find it ironic that prejudice and discriminated were used as often as the word rights, because the terms contradict one another.

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Phrasing/MeaningIt has been observed before, that society for a long time, discriminated against another minority, the blacks, on the same basis - that they were different and inferior. The happy little homemaker and the contented "old darkey" on the plantation were both produced by prejudice. This quotes reminds us that prejudice is not new to our society. Instead, it is being passed along to demean others. It is no longer just prejudice towards race but gender as well. The unspoken assumption is that women are different. They do not have executive ability orderly minds, stability, leadership skills, and they are too emotional. This illustrates the idea men have of women. However, being a woman, Shirley Chisholm sees this as a misconception. Like the saying, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Just because a man sees a woman this way doesnt mean its true, its just their perspective.

Powerful LinesMore than half of the population of the United States is female. But women occupy only 2 percent of the managerial positions. There is very little understanding yet of the immorality involved in double pay scales and the classification of most of the better jobs as "for men only. Existing laws are not adequate to secure equal rights for women. If women are already equal, why is it such an event whenever one happens to be elected to Congress? And women that do not conform to the system, who try to break with the accepted patterns, are stigmatized as ''odd'' and "unfeminine."

Some FavoritesConsidering that there are about 3 1/2 million more women in the United States than men, this situation is outrageous. This one statement simply makes it clear that women should have just as many rights as men if not more. Politically women have the upper hand because they are the majority. Women are the foundation because without them there would be no men. They submitted to oppression and even cooperated with it. Women have done the same thing. But now there is an awareness of this situation particularly among the younger segment of the population. I believe this symbolizes change and responsibility. Due to submission and acceptance, the discrimination practices against women expanded throughout the course of time. In time however, more determined and courageous women came on the scene. They took the responsibility and stood to change the way things were. If women are already equal, why is it such an event whenever one happens to be elected to Congress? It is clear that men do not want to view women as equal. They would much rather see them as a cook, housewife, and mother then to see them hold a political office. They fear the chance that a woman might outdo them in their so called role. 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. It should not be considered an anomaly for a woman to desire to have the same occupation as a man. There shouldnt be a gender specific qualification. A woman can do just as much as any man.

To FollowAfter giving this speech, Shirley Chisholm served seven terms in congress. Ran for president as a democrat in 1972. Received votes from 14 states, and received 151 of delegates votes. One of the founders of National Womens Political Caucus In 1977 she was appointed to the powerful House of Rules Committee where she introduced over 50 pieces of legislation. Was nominated to be U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica, but had to decline because of health issues.Left the political scope in 1983 to teach and lecture. Co-founded National Political Congress of Black Women. Died in 2005.

When asked how she wanted to be remembered, Chisholm said, When I die, I want to be remembered as a woman who lived in the 20th century and who dared to be a catalyst of change. I dont want to be remembered as the first black woman who went to Congress. And I dont even want to be remembered as the first woman who happened to be black to make the bid for the presidency. I want to be remembered as a woman who fought for change in the 20th century. Thats what I want.

Citations"National Women's History Museum." Education & Resources. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2013. . "Miaya & Oscar- Shirley Chisholm: Equal Rights for Women.m4v." YouTube. YouTube, 04 May 2012. Web. 11 Apr. 2013. ."National Women's History Museum." Education & Resources. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2013. .

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