Introduction
America has been named the land of opportunities because of its developed economic conditions. Since time immemorial, people have had the idea that job opportunities as well as the chances of people enhancing themselves are in plenty. As a result, people from all over the world have been migrating and settling in America. In this regard, American society is composed of people from different racial backgrounds.
However, this has brought challenges especially the way people treat each other among the society. People from some racial backgrounds consider themselves as being superior to others. As a result, discrimination and racial inequality in different levels is not peculiar.
This is not a good characteristic in society because it has various negative impacts to society. In this regard, people try to use various methods in the fight against racial inequality. However, it is difficult to tell among ethos, pathos and logos which one can be effective to the American people.
Effects of Racism
Racial inequality is known to divide the society right in the middle with the minority people looking down upon themselves as the weak in the society. This hinders smooth integration in society and brings about tension because each of the groups is always prepared. On the same note, the minority groups will find ways of defending themselves from their oppressors.
The defense mechanism may involve simple avoidance of the places or situation where people feel they will meet inequality. On the other hand, the minority groups may result to violence in a move to force the majority to stop their discriminating acts.
Furthermore, racial inequality has been known to make people withdraw from societal integration. Arguably, the minority groups opt not to show up in public places where they are likely to encounter discriminatory practices. This leads to increased cases of trauma as well as depression. Moreover, withdrawal has been linked with several cases of suicide and murder (Morrison 10).
On the same note, the minority groups sometimes choose not to compete with the majority who are likely to look down upon them. Consequently, the minority become economically and even socially backward compared to their majority counterparts.
In worst case scenarios, racial inequality can lead to emergence of organized groups meant to counter the treatment received. It is important to note that these groups use any means including crude ways to achieve their aims.
Using Logos in Creating Awareness
People like getting hard facts that proof the relevance of subject matter. It will be easy to convince people if one has well documented and credible statistics and facts that support his or her argument. Moreover, people are likely to be convinced if examples that they can identify are used to explain various points in an argument.
In the book everything that rise must converge, the author uses Julian’s personal experience to inform the audience that the facts given are happening in the real world. The author also guides the audience using inductive logic from the specific happenings in the bus to the conclusion that racial discrimination is harmful (O’Conner 114).
In the movie, Mississippi Burning, the killings that take place are used to depict to the audience that racism is destructive (Parker, “Mississippi Burning”). The movie gives enumerates events as they unfolded to appeal that what is being depicted is true.
The Impact of Ethos
The trust of people on the argument being forwarded is highly influenced by the way people look at the person presenting the argument. Whether people will value the discussions put forward depends on whether in their opinion, the presenter understands the topic.
The moment one is able to proof to the audience that he or she understands the subject in question and can use professional expertise in the mode of presentation, the audience will readily believe in his or her argument. The Movie uses FBI characters to depict to the audience that expert advice is sought regarding the issue.
Many people have great confidence in FBI and will therefore take the issue in which FBI is involved seriously (Parker, “Mississippi Burning”). On the other hand, O’Connor applies ethos in several occasions (O’Conner 115). One of the scenarios is when the author chooses to look at the issue from a different point by giving an example of a black woman who does not allow her child to socialize with the white.
The black man who enters the bus is also reluctant to talk to Julian. As a result, ethos is very crucial in any persuasive argument. This is crucial in informing the audience that the presenter is nonpartisan and all information given is as objective as possible.
Importance of Pathos
Racial inequality touches the very core of human existence. It affects the societal institutions that are vital for human existence. In this regard, the issue requires that the emotions of people be invoked so as to make the fight successful. It is important to note that emotional appealing is very effective in convincing people. O’Connor uses the conflicts that exist between Julian and his mother to emotionally carry along the audience (O’Conner 115).
Moreover, the way Julian’s mother feels about the integration that has been allowed is depicted in a manner that really invokes the emotions of the audience. Similarly, in the movie, Mississippi burning, the beating that Pell’s wife receives is illustrated in an appealing method to arouse the emotions of the audience (Parker, “Mississippi Burning”).
Furthermore, Morrison uses convincing words to explain the story of Sethe which is very emotional. The story is used to depict to the audience how the problem of racial discrimination can affect society. The scenario where Sethe kills her child because they are to be taken back to slavery is a major emotional appeal (Morrison 11).
Conclusion
People need to be given facts about any subject. The facts need to be credible as well as convincing. On the same note, explaining to people a point while referring to real life examples to show how day-to-day activities are affected by the same idea is very crucial in ensuring that the point is understood.
On the same note, ensuring that the audience understands each and every step as the presenter unfolds each event is vital in ensuring that the audience appreciates any conclusion that may be made.
Given that racial inequality is a critical problem in society and that each person has a different perspective of the subject, an all encompassing approach is required in discussing the issue. It is important to note that while logos, ethos and pathos may be used in isolation, they are very effective when used together in an argument. As a result, the use of all the three is the best way of illustrating racial inequality in the American society.
Works Cited
Morrison, Toni. Beloved. Jonathan Cape: Vintage Classic, 2010. Print
O’Connor, Flannery. Everything that Rises Must Converge. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 1965. Print.
Parker, Alan, dir. Mississippi Burning. Orion Pictures, 1988. DVD.