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Why Is Shirley Chisholm's Equal Rights Speech Effective

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Shirley Chisholm was the first African-American congresswoman in America. She was a very active member of the women's movement to expand on equal rights. She presented the speech “For the Equal Rights Amendment” in 1969. Chisholm wants an Equal Rights Amendment for women. She explains how the discrimination has been an ongoing issue that wouldn't be solved unless action was taken. She further explained that this was in the power of the government to make a change. Shirley Chisholm made a stand for all women that they have the right to become greater things in life. She wanted America to see women for what they can become. This is taken into depth when she begins to explain the effect on the women in their homes, work, and education. Chisholm received the support of many Americans in the …show more content…

Shirley Chisholm's speech is effective because of her use of logical flow of ideas, persuasive techniques, credible sources, and counter-arguments.
Shirley Chisholm's speech is effective because she uses a logical flow of ideas. In her speech, Chisholm says, "It is time we act to assure full equality of opportunity to those citizens who… suffer the restrictions that are commonly imposed… to women." What she is implying here is that it is time for women to be an actual part of society and not just in the background. She also states, "This is what is comes down to: artificial distinctions between persons must be wiped out of the law." and ends the speech with "Social and physiological effects will be initially more important than legal or economic results." Chisholm is explaining that the end of gender discrimination is not going to be changed by America just waking someday and the issue is gone it needs to be handled by the government. A logical

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