Rhetorical Analysis

LeClaire, Levi
ENG101
10/21/24
Aschman

Robert F. Kennedy “Remarks on the Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.”

April 4th, 1968, at 6:05 P.M., Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated while standing on the

balcony of his second-floor room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. Shortly after,

Robert F. Kennedy gave an emotional and powerful speech in the time of unrest. He spoke in

Indianapolis, addressing the country as a whole with the terrible and heartbreaking news of

King’s passing. He speaks of the tragedy and how the United States should proceed forward with

King’s vision for the future. He comes from a place of understanding and compassion when

addressing the crowd and the entire nation, recognizing the impact of King’s death. Kennedy

talks about peace between the black and white communities of the country, utilizing ethos,

pathos, and logos to make his words stick in the hearts of the grieving audience. With this

speech, titled “Remarks on the Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.,” he persuaded those of

different communities to come together and work towards peace in the memory of King.

In the event of an important public figure’s death, there is bound to be unrest and possibly

violence in response. There will also be two reasons for those outbursts, either celebration or

grief. Kennedy understood this, which is why he gave his speech so soon after King’s death. He

uses logos to address this by saying, “We can move in that direction as a country, in greater

polarization -- black people amongst blacks, and white amongst whites, filled with hatred toward
one another. Or we can make an effort, as Martin Luther King did, to understand, and to

comprehend, and replace that violence… with an effort to understand, compassion, and

love.”(Kennedy, 3) It seems like a rather obvious solution, however in stressful and confusing

circumstances, rational thinking is usually dwindled. Kennedy knew the nation needed a rational

voice to listen to and took it upon himself to be that voice. He uses logos once again by saying,

“But we have to make an effort in the United States. We have to make an effort to understand, to

get beyond, or go beyond these rather difficult times.”(Kennedy, 5) Again, he is being the

reasonable and logical voice the country desperately needed to hear.

In the essence of violence and outrage, Kennedy’s speech emphasized how that was wrong

for both the country and the world using ethos. He mentions, “For those of you who are black --

considering the evidence evidently is that there were white people who were responsible -- you

can be filled with bitterness, and with hatred, and a desire for revenge.”(Kennedy, 4) In his

solution for this, it is evident that he believes these feelings of hatred are understandable, but

carrying out these feelings is wrong for the country. King lived and died for peace, and in his

memory, the country should move forward with that. Kennedy states, “What we need in the

United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in

the United States is not violence and lawlessness…,”(Kennedy, 7) which further pushes the idea

that violence is not the answer for the tragedy. Violence will not solve violence.

The audience and the entire nation may not be persuaded by logistical solutions and ethical

considerations alone, people need an emotional connection to ensure action. Kennedy’s speech is

a tool to encourage the entirety of the United States to conjoin and move forward together. He
uses pathos multiple times throughout the speech, including, “I would only say that I can also

feel in my own heart the same kind of feeling. I had a member of my family killed, but he was

killed by a white man.”(Kennedy, 4) He is using his own tragic experience to connect to the

audience’s hearts and show he is understanding of their grief. He also states, “But the vast

majority of white people and the vast majority of black people in this country want to live

together, want to improve the quality of our life, and want justice for all human beings that abide

in our land.”(Kennedy, 10) He reminds the audience that everyone is human, and as humans, we

strive for the protection and justice of our people. He is not talking to the country as a white man,

but as a fellow human who shares the same goal as most others. This is the final step to make his

words stick and for anyone watching to fully understand his message.

Peace and solidarity only comes into fruition when people come together. Martin Luther

King’s memory should be a foundation for the betterment of the country and how lives can be

improved worldwide. Even though his death was a tragedy, his legacy can be immortalized in the

actions of others who also seek peace.

Eidenmuller, Michael E. “Robert F. Kennedy, Remarks on the Assassination of Martin Luther

King, Jr.” American Rhetoric: Robert F. Kennedy -- Statement on the Assassination of Martin

Luther King, Jr.., 10 Aug. 2024, www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/rfkonmlkdeath.html.