Approaches to African American Rhetorical Theory

Some of the many difficulties Essentialist views are wrong: Diverse groups under differing conditions. No single way is The “African American communication style” Oppression: Colonialism, slavery, and racism are against human status and suppress history/traditions.

Some of the many difficulties Hegemony of the Western tradition: White models find non-whites “wanting.” Formal vs Informal Codes “Getting over,” “code-switching,” and other covert strategies don’t “show” to or impress non-blacks. Multilingualism BEV issues abound. Mainstream white folks don’t treat BEV as multilingual.

Some of the many difficulties As multicultural approaches increase, educational opportunities broaden, civil rights improve, international travel and global communication evolve . . . The African American experience reverberates with African influences. Often very difficult to tease them apart and/or to know when Africa applies (or does not).

Some Key African/African American Rhetorical Considerations While remembering that essentialism is VERY untrustworthy. Harmony and Unity the divine spirit is found in community. Spiritual powers in individual actions. power and wisdom come to individuals who will then aid the community. Nommo the lived power of the spoken word. Speech is more a transmission of centered life than of the “parts” of traditional speech-ifying

Some Key Rhetorical Behaviors/Features Invention as “calling into existence, recognizable patterns.” the rhetor must then organize and style the materials creatively. Style must respond to images which connect with the audience. Delivery is collaborative. This mirrors both the call and response found in preaching as well as in the Effeminate style.

Needed Steps Inclusion Find great speakers/speeches. Do ethnography of speaking across different groups. Be especially sensitive to co-group differences---this work can be turned against the very group it claims to study.

Needed Steps Revision Solidify understanding of black philosophy. Discover principle sets that are exclusive to co-groups. Discover principle sets that generalize across co-groups.

Approaches to Asian Rhetorical Theory

Some of the many difficulties Essentialist views are wrong: Diverse groups under differing conditions. Hegemony of the Western tradition: White models find non-whites “wanting.” Translation is a HUGE difficulty. We’ve long depended on problematic translations and textual interpretations. This improves as Asian scholars join us.

Some More Challenges for Understanding Asian Rhetoric Tied to philosophy and metaphysics; rhetoric is sometimes missed due to its tight relation with Eastern religions. Operates in high context culture: verbal is not always foregrounded (Langer helps here) Operates in hierarchical (deference-relevant) yet group-oriented society. Depends on Eastern ways of minding which do not always seem “rhetorical” to Westerners.

logos, esp. logic and order. Some Key Asian Rhetorical Considerations (keeping essentialism in view to tame it) Bian fluid senses about speech and argument using reason and evidence to express opinions, show weaknesses in other’s argument, and to achieve correct view and mutual understanding. Ming logos, esp. logic and order. .

Some Key Asian Rhetorical Considerations (keeping essentialism in view to tame it) Wen all polished literature should have sermonic outcome. Authority perhaps the most ubiquitous form of argument: from the archetypal case/quotation/text/master Western rhetoric uses these, but as a somewhat weak form.

More Key Asian Rhetorical Considerations Parsimony: rhetorical decisions should be strategic toward avoiding contentious argumentation, focusing instead on harmony; but when required, should be economical Knowledge: thorough assessment of the situation, esp. with regard to the status quo and how holding/attaining it can be leveraged. Strategy: one tries to gain strategic advantages toward quick and decisive victory. Responsiveness: adaptation to events/circumstances is key.

Needed Steps Inclusion Find great speakers/speeches. Do ethnography of speaking across different groups. Get better translations.

Needed steps Revision take philosophy more seriously with regard to its role in rhetoric. build a non-Western model for judgment. build better rhetorical model for non-discursive forms.

In all three cases: Women, African American, Asian We’d better figure it out. They ain’t going away. We are wasting previous human resources. One might say “morality notwithstanding.” But of course, morality is very much in play here.