Rhetorical analysis of "Brown v. Board of Education in International Context" by Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Recommended for high school to adult listeners.

Inspired by and in honor of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, this is the first in a series of episodes examining the rhetoric and literary style of various women and feminist authors.

This first episode focuses on Justice Ginsburg herself, on a speech she gave at Columbia University School of Law in 2004.

*Rhetorical analysis of the speech

*Strong focus on ethos (ethical/authoritative) arguments

*Examination of diction and word choice, as well as syntax, audience, tone, and authorial perspective

Text of the speech: https://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/2017/03/21/brown-v-board-of-education-in-international-context-oct-21-2004/

Excellent resource for all things to do with women in history and politics: https://cattcenter.iastate.edu/

Their Archive of Women's Political Communication: https://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/

Vocabulary:

apartheid: (in South Africa) a policy or system of segregation or discrimination on grounds of race.

ascendancy:  occupation of a position of dominant power or influence.

prestige: widespread respect and admiration felt for someone or something on the basis of a perception of their achievements or quality.

eulogy: a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly, typically someone who has just died.

conspicuous: standing out so as to be clearly visible; attracting notice or attention.

analogy: a comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.

inexorably:  in a way that is impossible to stop or prevent.

egalitarian: relating to or believing in the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities.

ideological: based on or relating to a system of ideas and ideals, especially concerning economic or political theory and policy.

regime: a government, especially an authoritarian one.

grist: 1. grain that is ground to make flour.  2. useful material, especially to back up an argument.

adverse: preventing success or development; harmful; unfavorable.

doctrine: a stated principle of government policy, mainly in foreign or military affairs.

consul: an official appointed by a government to live in a foreign city and protect and promote the government's citizens and interests there.

skepticism: doubt as to the truth of something.

reverberate: (of a loud noise) be repeated several times as an echo.

vibrant: full of energy and enthusiasm.

ratification: the action of signing or giving formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement, making it officially valid.

jurisdiction: the official power to make legal decisions and judgments.

exemplary: serving as a desirable model; representing the best of its kind.

litigation: the process of taking legal action.

pernicious: having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.

allocate: distribute (resources or duties) for a particular purpose.

allegedly: used to convey that something is claimed to be the case or have taken place, although there is no proof.