Delivery of RFK's Speech

The importance of the delivery of RFK's speech begins with the fact that he was the one giving it.  People looked to him as a leader of the movement for peace between all peoples and forgiveness on a national scale.  The natural reaction of civil rights activists when they heard about MLK's death was first grief, followed by anger.  RFK's words on the matter reflected those that King himself might have said.  Reacting to violence with violence, would only make things worse.  His carrying on of King's legacy was exactly what was needed.  The group of people following King needed a new figure to look to, and someone to remind them of their goal.  RFK did just this, when in the face of adversity, he practiced what he preached.  He did not swear revenge, instead he urged those feeling the same way as himself to accept what had happened.  He focused on moving forward and carrying on the legacy of Martin Luther King.

Audience of RFK Train Photograph

Although I was unable to locate the original source of this photograph, it was published on June 5, 2013 on a blog of the Greenwich Village society to commemorate the forty fifth anniversary of RFK's sudden death.  For today's audience, the photograph is intended for the citizens of Greenwich Village who hope to learn about the history behind the location where they reside.  The audience of 1968 would probably see this photograph as evidence of Robert Kennedy's influence on the shaping of the United States at that time.  What is most likely a great example of his impact is that both blacks and whites were able to put past their racial differences to mourn this prominent politician.  Both races are standing side by side as equal citizens.  This appeals to both races as it proves they can cooperate, even if it revolves around a time of grief.  The power behind the photo is in the fact that such a variety of people can converge and attempt to follow Kennedy's wishes for cooperation and equality that were evidenced in the speech after MLK's assassination.  There remains hope for the future for later collaboration between all races in America.
Natasha Virjee

Logos of RFK Funeral Photograph

The logos of the picture of RFK's funeral train helps the reader understand the kind of impact RFK had on his followers.  The sheer number of people in the photograph informs the audience about how big Kennedy's following was.  People waited along the the train's route from New York to D.C.  It is logical to assume that if there was this many people at one station many more people lined the route throughout the nation.  It is important to note that the photographer did not take pictures of the actual event of the train passing.  Instead he/she thought the crowd would represent the event better.  The logical appeal in the photograph is pretty straight forward.  The large crowd proves to the audience how many people cherished Robert Kennedy by gathering to watch his body on a train pass.

Emily Camardo

Discourse Community of Both Situations

Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. both supported the mission to create America into a peaceful place where all types of people could get along and live together.  They both wanted all people; regardless of gender, race, or religion, to be treated as equal citizens under the law.  During the 1960's the majority of  liberals supported the Civil Rights Movement and the majority of conservatives were against it.  Therefore, the discourse community of both the speech and the picture would be liberal Americans because they all would share the same goals of integration and equality.  In RFK's speech he is addressing his discourse community by urging them to continue to help America fight for equality and racial tolerance via non-violent means despite the tragic assassination of MLK.  The ethos of the people reacting horrified about MLK's assassination indicates they were supportive of MLK.  Also, the ethos of distressed people post-RFK assassination indicates they supported him as well.  The discourse community would have to be pro-integration and pro-equality.

-Ebonie Massey

Style of RFK's Speech

The style Robert F. Kennedy uses in his speech announcing the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. helps address the main idea of non-violent actions in his speech.   Kennedy uses different figures of speech to stress how the nation should move forward from this tragic events.  He asks his audience to think "what kind of a nation we are, and what direction we want to move in."  Kennedy presents a rhetorical situation in how African-Americans can respond to the shooting of Martin Luther King. This use of rhetorical questions and situations encourage the audience to think their reaction can affect society.  RFK also repeats the phrase "what this country needs is not..." to stress that responding with violence will only make our country worse off. Throughout his speech Kennedy repeats the importance of understanding.  This repetition causes the statement to resonate more with the audience.  The way he speaks also draws the attention of the audience.  Kennedy talks slowly so it is easy for an audience at any age to follow along and he also takes pauses for emphasize.

Emily Camardo

Logos Behind Robert Kennedy's Speech

The main logical appeal occurs when Robert Kennedy states that rather than being angry or riotous due to King's untimely death, the audience should embrace King's values of nonviolence and a cooperative, accepting United States.  He contrasts the polarization of our country based on race with the more understanding country both Kennedy and King would rather have; a country with a brighter future, not based on superficial differences.  He reveals it is completely normal and logical for blacks to be upset at the white population, especially because King was assassinated by a white person.  What remains his greater logical appeal is that to honor King,  we as a united country must honor his ideas and values.  Kennedy admits that based on the past history it is fair to say that there will be a struggle to achieve true equality and acceptance.  As a country we must realize that most people, no matter their race, would rather have the country be integrated rather than the divided mess it was at that time.  Thus, Kennedy's logic attempts to unite a fragmented nation.
Natasha Virjee

Audience of Robert Kennedy's Speech

In Robert Kennedy's speech announcing the assassination of Martin Luther King, the audience he is generally addressing is citizens of the United States.  Specifically, though, he is addressing liberal Americans who supported Dr. King's beliefs for an equal, peaceful, intergrated America.  Kennedy is sympathizing with King's supporters because he is one himself.  He mentions that the assassination was a "sad time" and a "difficult time" which indicated he was directing his attention to King's supporters.  He goes on to give purpose to King's mission to have an America where people no matter what race could get along with one another.  This gives King credibility and leads the speech to be focused on audiences that not only supported King, but viewed him as a loving individual.  Kennedy's speech moves on to focus on the audience of African Americans.  He understands that African Americans will feel hate and vengeance and blame White people for the assassination, but urges them to follow the non-violent vision that King had.  Kennedy goes on to address the majority of liberal Blacks and Whites when he mentions that they should live together in peace and build the nation up.

-Ebonie Massey