African American Freedom Maria W Stewart Rhetorical Analysis

Maria W. Stewart delivered an emotionally charged lecture that expressed her views regarding African American freedom and treatment in America. Stewart addresses many other positions and logically appeals to them. Stewart was trying to send the audience a message of awareness to the continued injustices and mental barriers America is facing. She uses allusions, pathos, and anecdotal evidence to effectively portray her position.

"I would gladly hail death as a welcome messenger." In this statement, Stewart is choosing death over the continued inequality many African Americans face. This declaration shows subtle allusions and similarities to the famous patriotic expression,"Give me liberty or give me death!" This reference is later reiterated by Stewart stating she is a, "true born American." Stewart appeals to the audience sense of patriotism emotionally. This helps reinforce her message for equal opportunity for and treatment of African Americans.
She acknowledges the sense in their statement of some African Americans being lazy, but confutes them with the fact that there is lazy people in all races. She also mentions that there are extremely ambitious African Americans, too. Stewart's confidence with her message effectively addresses counter arguments and makes logical reasons against them. Stewart's rebuttal is effective because it logically appeals to all of her audience, white or black. Stewart acknowledges the counterclaim of the Liberator's article but makes a more knowledgeably informed