Following the supposedly racially-motivated killings of two African American men (New York and Ferguson) by white cops, the idea that our predominately white police force is targeting those of other races intensified. For some, these suspicions led to actions that are unjust and inhumane. Two New York City cops, Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, were brutally murdered due to these previous killings to which they were not connected. Their assassin, who was looking to avenge the death of the two unarmed, black men, took his own life as well. At the funeral of Wenjian Liu, the mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio, was asked to speak. During his address, many police officers who were in attendance turned their backs on the mayor, in an attempt to express the rising tensions between them and de Blasio’s office. During the eulogy that the mayor gave at Liu’s funeral, he had to find a way to comfort the family of the victim, send a stern message to the people of NYC, and address the angered officers present, all while not coming across spiteful or rude. De Blasio did a fantastic job of rhetorically presenting his points, while still showing comfort to the grieving family.
Throughout his eulogy, de Blasio used strategies such as anaphora and pathos, or the appeal to his audience’s emotions. They mayor’s eulogy at his fallen officer’s funeral is filled with pathos. He says things such as “everyone feels we all are with you during this time” in order to connect with the family and show that he feels for them. Also, the sheer pain and distress that the audience can sense in the voice of de Blasio makes them accept the fact that he is truly pained by this loss. While speaking, you can hear the mayor’s voice cracking, and he can also be heard sniffling. Also, through anaphora, he utilizes the extremely effective strategy of repetition to connect with his audience.
Mr. Bill de Blasio, mayor of the city of New York, was faced with an extremely tough task in speaking at a fallen officer’s funeral because he had to comfort and care for the grieving family members, while also sending a stern message. He was able to balance these in an effective manor so that his words would not be perceived as harsh, spiteful, and unkind through the use of many rhetorical devices.
Throughout his eulogy, de Blasio used strategies such as anaphora and pathos, or the appeal to his audience’s emotions. They mayor’s eulogy at his fallen officer’s funeral is filled with pathos. He says things such as “everyone feels we all are with you during this time” in order to connect with the family and show that he feels for them. Also, the sheer pain and distress that the audience can sense in the voice of de Blasio makes them accept the fact that he is truly pained by this loss. While speaking, you can hear the mayor’s voice cracking, and he can also be heard sniffling. Also, through anaphora, he utilizes the extremely effective strategy of repetition to connect with his audience.
Mr. Bill de Blasio, mayor of the city of New York, was faced with an extremely tough task in speaking at a fallen officer’s funeral because he had to comfort and care for the grieving family members, while also sending a stern message. He was able to balance these in an effective manor so that his words would not be perceived as harsh, spiteful, and unkind through the use of many rhetorical devices.