Over the past month, in class we have focused on the analysis of advertisements and speeches. Beside the writing aspect, I liked thinking of what made the pieces profound or affective.
Thinking about the assignment we completed Wednesday made me think of a speech I heard of in the beginning of February.
Whether you consistently follow politics or occasionally hear updates through word of mouth, I am sure you are at least aware of a few political hot topics. In the past few years, there has been an increase in the amount of attention given to the topic of gay marriage.
As I was on Facebook a month or so ago, I saw a link to a youtube video titled, Zach Wahls Speaks about Family. Curious, I clicked it.
Turns out the clip was of a young Iowa man, Zach Wahls, speaking to congressmen about marriage equality. Addressing the question associated in the minds of many, “can gays even raise kids,” Wahls built up his ethos to provide a persuasive argument.
Putting ones stance on the issue aside, the brilliant rhetorical functioning of the speech cant not be denied.
Zach introduced himself as a son raised by two women, arguing for their right, & the right for all gay couple, to be legally married in the eye of the law. Of course he affirmed that indeed same sex couples can raise happy and healthy children. But to prove his point he listed all of his accomplishments and then said, “If I was your son Mr. Chairman I believe I’d make you ver proud.”
What made this brief but concise speech so affective was Wahls’ explanation to the audience of what a family was. Zach Wahls explained that there is no difference between a family headed by heterosexuals or homosexuals, closing his speech saying, “ The sexual orientation of my parents has zero affect on the contact of my character.”
(Check it out.!)
That really is a moving speech and I have a gay friend who is excellent with kids and I have straight friends who are not so he is right. I love how he ended it with the "content of my character" it reminded me of MLK speech when he said people shouldn't be judged on the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.
ReplyDelete