In this excerpt, Reverend King uses pathos to evoke strong emotions from his audience. In specific, he uses this to create a feeling of sympathy and anger in his audience of the eight white clergymen. For instance, he states, “When your first name becomes “nigger” and your middle name becomes “boy” (however old you are) and your last name becomes “John,”” All three of these words were used as stereotypical terms back in the days of segregation. Nigger is literally defined as a racist name direct towards that of people with colored skin. As a result of this always hold negative feelings in it, and has earned its reputation as a swear word. Anyone would be insulted from this term. Boy seems as though it’s an ok term at first glance, as it’s defined as: a male child or young man. …show more content…
Imagine being a grown man referred to by this term, being belittled down to the age of a child. This is basically saying you aren't able to take care of yourself and need someone else for the job. This word would, of course, irritate its receiver. Then there’s John, you wouldn’t think it’s a bad word. It’s a common last name nowadays for us to use. But, the word John actually means: a toilet or a prostitute' client. Now being called a toilet is offensive enough, that would already offend anyone. But being referred to as a person would certainly fuel the anger of its receiver. All three are offensive enough on their own, but imagine being referred to as all three as King brings attention to. The white clergymen, being of the male category have a better advantage of viewing a male’s reactions and feelings of