What Were The Specific Rhetorical Strategies Employed By A. Philip Randolph During The 1941 March On Washington Movement To Leverage The Threat Of Mass Protest To Pressure President Roosevelt Into Issuing Executive Order 8802, And How Did These Strategies Influence The Subsequent Development Of The Fair Employment Practice Committee?

by ADMIN 336 views

A. Philip Randolph employed several key rhetorical strategies during the 1941 March on Washington Movement to pressure President Roosevelt into issuing Executive Order 8802, which established the Fair Employment Practice Committee (FEPC). These strategies included:

  1. Moral Arguments: Randolph framed racial discrimination as a moral injustice, appealing to the consciences of the president and the public. This highlighted the contradiction of fighting for democracy abroad while denying it to African Americans at home.

  2. Threat of Mass Protest: He leveraged the credible threat of a large-scale, peaceful march to create urgency and pressure Roosevelt to act, emphasizing the potential for social unrest and national embarrassment.

  3. Nonviolent Direct Action: By planning a peaceful protest, Randolph contrasted it with the violence faced by African Americans, garnering sympathy and support.

  4. Coalition Building: Collaborating with civil rights and labor groups amplified the message and demonstrated a united front, making demands harder to ignore.

  5. Contradiction of National Unity: He used the WWII context, emphasizing the hypocrisy of promoting democracy abroad while tolerating discrimination domestically.

  6. Economic Imperative: Framing the issue as essential for national strength and economic equality, Randolph underscored the necessity of fair employment practices.

  7. Negotiation and Ultimatum: Presenting the march as a necessary action if the president didn't act, creating urgency and forcing a decision.

These strategies influenced the FEPC by maintaining pressure on the government, ensuring the committee's creation and pushing for stronger enforcement, despite its challenges. Randolph's leadership and rhetorical skills effectively mobilized support, keeping the issue prominent and leading to incremental progress toward fair employment practices.