50 Years Later: John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address

Brief Introduction: In this blog, I will be exploring each week the use of rhetoric in life, television, and various other means of communication I come across as a part of my English and speech course, LA101H. Hopefully my understanding of the intricacies in speech will develop as I continue to grow and learn throughout this course and it will be reflected in my posts.

It has been half a century since President John F. Kennedy began his legendary presidency in historic fashion by delivering his stirring inaugural address to the people of America and of the world. Throughout this speech, President Kennedy makes it clear that the scope of his audience lies beyond his own countrymen; he calls out to the global community that a new era will be ushered in and the people of earth (both friend and foe) now possess the power to write the finale of the race of man on earth. Kennedy opens his speech by impressing upon his audience the foundations of the United States by using phrases such as “revolutionary beliefs” and the “rights of man” and repeating the word “forbears” as a means to instill unity as a nation before addressing the world. He continues his call to unity by pledging to stand by the friendly nations of the world in support of their freedom, well-being, and advancement in this new era. He reaffirms each call to action with noble justifications by appealing to God and to the values of freedom and liberty. Meanwhile he continues to evoke emotional bonds by referring to nations “sister republics” and to the UN as “our last best hope in an age where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace”. Kennedy then addresses potential enemies and recognizes their role as well in preserving the earth during this era of constant nuclear threat; he delivers a request (instead of a pledge) to urge for peace for the sake of mankind. President Kennedy then goes on to repeat the phrase “Let both sides” in reference to these adversaries, but each time speaks of ways in which these sides can come together to quell the threat of mass destruction, for peace is the only way to truly ensure the safety of the world in a nuclear age. Finally, he closes by calling his audience to action by making the people aware that their time to make history is present and in asking them rhetorical questions like “Will you join in that historic effort?” and reminding the people to “ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country”. By doing so he puts the power in the hands of the people while at the same time instilling hope that he will lead with them as their president.