Rainbow Coalition Speech by Jesse Jackson - Assignment Example

The Rainbow Coalition was making efforts to have all ethnic groups be represented in the government, and so Jesse Jackson was asking the people present to put aside their prejudices and stereotypes.  Yet, before he calls them to that duty, he tells them that they are not perfect people.  More than likely, the effect of that sentence was to make the people feel that they could not accomplish the goal even if they tried.  Such imperfect people could not likely accomplish a task so great.  When an individual is in a situation where their prior prejudices come to the forefront, they are more likely to remember those words and believe that they are not capable of putting aside those feelings.

• Amplification: “There is the call of conscience, redemption, expansion, healing, and unity” (Jackson).

The effect of amplification is a powerful one.  By listing the goals each individual was being called to reach, Jesse Jackson created a step-by-step program that every listener was likely to feel they could follow.  First, they must be conscious of the effects of their prejudices.  Once they are conscious, they should then be able to redeem themselves by rectifying their mistakes and changing their ways.  Next, they can expand their new outlook to those in their family and their circle of friends.  They can act as a positive influence on all within their social spheres.  With those steps, national healing may begin, and true unity should ultimately be seen.  The effect of such a list is powerful, indeed.

• Metaphor: “Our flag is red, white and blue, but our nation is a rainbow—red, yellow, brown, black and white—and we’re all precious in God’s sight” (Jackson).
  The metaphor of comparing the various skin tones of Americans to the colors within the national flag serves to remind all listeners that they are all Americans. That great unifying characteristic of all the people within this nation should be brought to the forefront of everyone’s minds because that will enable them to better see past the color of another person’s skin, and realize that they both belong to the same country.  This metaphor is a wonderful unifying tool.
• Metaphor: “Old wine skins must make room for new wine” (Jackson).

One of Jesse Jackson’s biggest points within this speech was that all new ethnic groups within the United States should come to be represented by the Rainbow Coalition.  Immediately following this phrase, Reverend Jackson lists all the groups that were not currently represented and details why those groups are important.  Saying that old wine skins must make room for new wine indicates that Jesse Jackson acknowledges that there was a significant limitation of representation to the “top” groups prior to his speech.  Recognizing that there are many others who had heretofore gone unrepresented, and acknowledging those groups’ individual worth, is an excellent way to gain support for his cause.

• Amplification: “We must expand our Party, heal our Party, and unify our Party” (Jackson).
  Again, amplification is a powerful tool. This use of amplification ties into the previous example used.  The idea is, to begin with, an easily-visualized concept of awareness and growth, and build upon that.  Ending once again with unity emphasizes that tying together all the groups of the nation, all the ethnic backgrounds, and all the individuals, is the primary goal of the speaker.

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