Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman to be elected to congress, gave the speech, “Equal Rights for Women” on May 21, 1969. Shirley Chisholm takes her stand on the inequality women face in the workforce and everyday life. Chisholm focuses on the current issues women are facing for the first half of her speech. She points out the gender roles that are enforced in job positions. Many jobs, especially job titles holding power can only be for men while other jobs are seen as feminine and for the woman. “There is a calculated system of prejudice that lies unspoken,” Chisholm is pointing out the beliefs of men that are unspoken. This unspoken belief is that women are different and are incapable of doing the same tasks men can do. “They…show more content… She then continued to refute any arguments that would be thrown against her. She gives reason and examples of how women are not given and secured equal rights. “If women are already equal, why is it such an event whenever one happens to be elected to Congress?” She is giving back an example for those who would say women are already treated equally. Each section of her speech had a purpose, the first being the examples and facts of women being treated unfairly and setting her arguments to giving a solution to these problems. The overall tone of Shirley Chisholm’s speech is very sarcastic, ironic but also factual. She uses sarcasm to go against the claims of those who oppose the equal rights amendment being set in place for women. Chisholm also asks many rhetorical questions in assuming the audience viewpoints and where they stand opposed to where she stands. Shirley Chisholm gave the “Equal Rights for Women” speech at the United States House of Representatives in Washington D.C on May 21, 1969. She takes a stand on women inequality and the unjust stereotypes thrown upon women and uses this in comparison with the oppression she has faced as being a woman and African American. She gives a clear argument to what she is standing for with sarcasm and facts and presents a solution. She points out factors with irony and sarcasm to grab the attention of the audience she is speaking to
