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The Rhetoric of Black Orators: Perspectives For Contemporary Analysis

Underwood, Willard Alva
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1555931250430981

Abstract Details

1972, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, Communication Studies.
Few attempts have been made to analyze the black civil rights movement in America through a rhetorical perspective. The hypothesis of this study was that an indepth analysis of dominant themes from speeches by select civil rights leaders is an invaluable indicator of social change. Leading authorities agree that rhetorical analysis of speeches and spokesmen provide insights into history and that oral discourse serves as a technique for social change. The five most prominent civil rights philosophies developed during the "civil rights movement" were identified and their contributions analyzed. The procedure employed was to: (1) analyze general background information dealing with problems facing black Americans; (2) synthesize specific concepts explored by black orators, including recommendations of these speakers; (3) explore rhetorical strategies employed by the speakers; and (4) unite these ideas, strategies and solutions into a unified construct. The five specific philosophies analyzed were: (1) moderation; (2) separation; (3) democratic involvement; (4) nonviolent direct action; and (5) militancy/black power/black nationalism. Ten orators and ten speeches, one by each orator, were evaluated as representative of the five rhetorical-historical trends. Orators analyzed include Booker T. Washington, W. E. B. DuBois, Marcus Garvey, Elijah Muhammad, Roy Wilkins, Thurgood Marshall, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesse Jackson, Malcolm X and Stokely Carmichael. Other speakers and other speeches were con­sidered when appropriate to understanding the development of ideas. From the analyses of these ten speakers and five philosophies, five major conclusions were drawn. First, to have lasting influence on the equal rights struggle, spokesmen must represent followers who concur with their ideas, programs and oratorical presentations. Second, successful black spokesmen are well-educated and pragmatically oriented. Third, successful leaders are articulate in both oral and written presentations. Fourth, humanistic concerns are primary elements, including the desire for equitable treatment and mutual respect. Fifth, each speaker was able to place his movement's ideals into a larger-than-self perspective.
Raymond Yeager (Advisor)
African American Studies; Communication

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Underwood, W. A. (1972). The Rhetoric of Black Orators: Perspectives For Contemporary Analysis [Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1555931250430981

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Underwood, Willard. The Rhetoric of Black Orators: Perspectives For Contemporary Analysis. 1972. Bowling Green State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1555931250430981.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Underwood, Willard. "The Rhetoric of Black Orators: Perspectives For Contemporary Analysis." Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University, 1972. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1555931250430981

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1555931250430981
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