7 thoughts on “Response to James Baldwin’s “Pin Drop Speech””

1. 

   James Baldwin was an American activist, his views of racial and social issues were important during the time he was born as Segregation was prominent. His Pin Drop Speech makes the audience question how the American government treats African Americans. One of his arguments was that the government won’t help African American problems but had those been White American problems then they would have been dealt with. This argument persuades the audience to question the mindset of America as a whole. Another aspect to keep in mind of his speech was that most of the audience was white and regardless of the odds being against Baldwin, he had won their applause.

2. 

   James Baldwin was a writer and playwright who used his work to speak out against discrimination in the western world. The Pin Drop Speech is such an important piece of rhetoric because it very blatantly and persuasively presents the point of the African American community being considered less than in America. It also mentions how much of an inconsistency there is between the treatment of whites versus blacks. For example, he states that if white people were treated the way blacks are, the government would definitely do something about it. The speech is also incredibly important because it makes the statement that the west is underestimating the African American community. He states that the group is one that built the country and the people who are excluded by the American dream will be ones to wreck it with just their presence.

3. 

   James Baldwin was an American novelist, playwright, and activist. His Pin Drop speech was such an important piece of rhetoric because his speech really persuaded his audience to think about and consider his personal point of view, which was full of logical appeals. He was speaking out for the African American community on how they feel mistreated and aren’t as highly prioritized as other races in America. He speaks on how situations would of been different if it were to happen to white people.

4. 

   James Baldwin was an American activist and writer who spoke about racial, sexual, and class distinctions in Western society. This speech was so powerful because Baldwin was speaking his truth on how African Americans were treated and thought of by white people believing they were “better” than them. He makes the point that everyone’s ancestors are white and black and until “we Americans” can see that, there will continue to be a struggle between each other. He says how white people described African American’s as savages but he says that they are human just like everyone else and has flaws just like everyone. I think this piece of rhetoric is so important because he also tells white people to think for themselves and to truly understand what white men in power are saying and to ask themselves if what they are saying is righteous.

5. 

   James Baldwin was a massively insightful essayist, novelist, and playwright who was known for discussing topics surrounding race, sexuality, as well as the human condition. His “Pin Drop Speech” does an excellent job at displaying some of the harsh contradictions that are apparent in the rhetoric surrounding Black Americans. He authentically displays his experiences growing up as a Black man in the United States, especially when talking about his white-centric education. He effectively utilizes both logos and pathos to form arguments that resonate with the audience’s sense of values. Baldwin’s “Pin Drop Speech” is also widely influential because of the context in which it was delivered. The fact that Baldwin received a standing ovation from the white, British crowd, as well as the fact that the voting for the proposition, “The American Dream is at the expense of the American negro” ended with 540 yays and 160 nays is a testament to the importance and significance of Baldwin’s message.

6. 

   James Baldwin was a highly regarded writer and activist. He is best known for his works in literature highlighting the experience of African Americans in the U.S. Baldwin’s Pin Drop Speech being considered an important piece of rhetoric – and rightly so – could be attributed to two key factors. The first key factor is the context of the political and social climate at the time upon which the speech was delivered; the speech was delivered a year after the Jim Crow laws were abolished. The second key factor is the fact that the speech provides a critique on how America has failed to uphold the American Dream due to the structural racism towards African Americans that inhibit their ability and opportunities to participate in it.

7. 

   James Baldwin was a civil rights activist and writer in the Mid-20th century. In his speech, James Baldwin argues that the American Dream is at the expense of black people. He is points out the hypocrisy of White American and the United States as a whole. He shows that black people do not have the same opportunities as white people. He makes the audience empathize with him using the second and the first person point of view interchangeably.
   He appeals to pathos by explaining how his heroes (the cowboys) were shooting at people who look like him.

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