Chickens and Hating Ourselves

Before beginning, I must say that Ward Churchill used many different aspects of rhetoric to achieve a point or goal. This point or ultimate goal was to make us hate ourselves. I feel that Churchill is attempting to show the danger of "ultra-nationalism." Perfect example: Toby Keith produced a song about America shortly after the Sept. 11th attacks. The main chorus is the following:

"Ohhh Justice will be served / And the battle will rage / This big dog will fight / When you rattle his cage / And you'll be sorry that you messed with The U.S. of A. / 'Cause we'll put a boot in your ass / It's the American way."

Ok, what kind of message does that send when that particular song topped the charts of country music and was nominated at the Country Music Awards. So, Churchill is perfectly correct at showing the dangers. How though?

Essentially, Churchill uses a lot of logos to give us the facts of what happens on "both sides of the fence." We all know our side of the story...but what about theirs? They did bad stuff to us, but we did bad things to them. Churchill uses factual evidence to show this when he tells of the surgical bombing, the loss of children's lives, etc.

One effective tool he uses is the citation of derogatory names for peoples of Arabian descent. I refuse to retype them in this blog; however, i have heard those names used and I cringe at them. When a race of people feels superior, ANY RACE OF PEOPLE, they are doomed unless they take a course of action to recognize equality. Churchill compares us with the Nazis, a bit extreme, but not far away, comparison. This is an effective use of logos as well.

Churchill establishes his ethos while he presents logos. How? He is citing a lot of factual evidence that shows his research and knowledge of the topic he is discussing. He also refers to the Presidents Bush.

His pathos comes from his depiction of the slaughter of Iraquis. Its not the kind of emotional connection that makes one cry; its the angry emotion that makes the audience look away, look at the ground, horrified that WE DID THAT. Exactly. He wants that goal and I feel he achieves it.

Overall, his ultimate goal is to make Americans hate the way they have acted. Timing couldn't be better; we are currently involved in major controversy with Iraq, some for, some against. This speech/article was essentially forensic b/c he is looking at the events that have brought us to where we are; however, he left us there. There is no real aspect of deliberative rhetoric, or a path for the future, in his article. Also, epidiectic is lacking as well, unless he is praising us for how horrible we have been, or praising our actions that have led us to such shame.

I am ashamed. He has achieved his goal with me.