Question

Question 1 (100 points)

(HC)
Jackie Robinson's letter to President Elsenhower
My dear Mr. President:
I was sitting in the audience at the Summit Meeting of Negro Leaders yesterday when you said we must have patience. On hearing you say this,
I felt like standing up and saying, "Oh no! Not again."
I respectfully remind you sir, that we have been the most patient of all people. When you said we must have self-respect, I wondered how we
could have self-respect and remain patient considering the treatment accorded us through the years.
17 million Negroes cannot do as you suggest and wait for the hearts of men to change. We want to enjoy now the rights that we feel we are
entitled to as Americans. This we cannot do unless we pursue aggressively goals which all other Americans achieved over 150 years ago.
This is an excerpt from Jackie Robinson's letter to President Eisenhower. What is Robinson's meaning in the following line, "I respectfully
remind you sir, that we have been the most patient of all people"? In two to three paragraphs of eight sentences each, analyze how syntax
and diction help him express his meaning. Use proper spelling and grammar. (100 points)

Answer 1

In this line, Jackie Robinson is politely but firmly challenging President Eisenhower's suggestion that the Black community should be patient in their pursuit of equality and civil rights. Robinson is pointing out that the Black community has been incredibly patient for many years, enduring discrimination and injustice without resorting to violence or other extreme measures. He is suggesting that this patience has not been rewarded, and that the Black community can no longer afford to wait for change to come on its own.

Robinson uses syntax and diction to express his meaning in this line in several ways. First, he uses a parallel structure in the phrase "I respectfully remind you sir" to create a sense of formality and respect, even as he is challenging the President's views. This parallel structure also emphasizes the contrast between Robinson's polite tone and the strong message he is conveying.

In addition, Robinson uses the pronoun "we" to refer to the Black community and the phrase "most patient of all people" to emphasize the collective experiences and feelings of the Black community. This use of "we" and the superlative construction create a sense of unity and solidarity among Black Americans, and also highlight the fact that they have endured a great deal of suffering and oppression without resorting to drastic measures.

Finally, Robinson uses the word "again" in the phrase "not again" to express his frustration and resentment at the idea of continuing to wait patiently for change. This word suggests that the Black community has been waiting for change for a long time, and that they are fed up with being told to be patient. Overall, Robinson uses syntax and diction effectively to challenge President Eisenhower's views and express the frustration and impatience of the Black community.