Jeneice Muir
ENG2150
Baldwin vs. Buckley Debate: Buckley Side
Logos
- “We know that there was more bloodshed trying to emancipate the Irish here in the British Isles than has been shed by 10 times the number of people who have been lynched as a result of the delirium of race consciousness, and race supremacy, in the United States.” (paragraph 4)
By making this point, Buckley strengthens his argument by minimizing the racism that black people face in America. Bringing up what Irish people have been through would make the audience think that what black people are going through isn’t bad because another group has supposedly gone through worse.
- “I challenge you to name me another civilization in the history of the world in which the problems of the minority, which have been showing considerable material and political advancement, are as much a subject of dramatic concern as in the United States.” (pg. 5 paragraph 2)
Once again, an attempt at a comparison like this minimizes what black people endure and pushes the narrative that the aim for black people to solve their problems in America is seen as a stretch or dramatic. In other words, it is like Buckley is saying “Nobody else in the world is trying to solve the race problem like America is. At least we are doing something.”
Pathos
- “What is it we Americans ought to do? I wonder. What is it we should do, for instance, to avoid the humiliations mentioned by Mr. Baldwin as having been part of his own experiences?” (pg. 4 paragraph 7)
Raising questions like this without answering leaves a sense of curiosity in the audience. It gets people to start thinking.
- “Obviously, the first element is concern. We have got to care that it happens.” (pg. 4 paragraph 8)
In this statement, I believe Buckley makes it obvious how he wants the audience to feel. By saying this, it would appeal to the emotion of sympathy and obviously, concern.
Ethos
- “For one thing, I believe– that the fundamental trend in the United States is to the good nature, the generosity, and good wishes, the decency that do lie in the spirit of the American people.” (pg. 5 paragraph 11)
Buckley basically says that he sees the good in the American people. By expressing his feelings like this, it makes him seem more trusting.
- “I am treating you as a fellow American, as a man whose indictments of our civilization are unjustified, as an American who–if his counsels we listened to – would be cursed by all his grandchildrens grandchildren.” (pg.4 paragraph 3)
Here, Buckley seems to be showing a sense of authenticity and humbleness. Displaying this side of his personality can build up his status with the audience.