Scott Autenreith
2/23/16
Rough Draft
StoneWall
Stonewall: The Beginning
of the End of Gay Oppression
When one thinks of America, most
would envision a land of freedom. It is envisioned as a place where individuals
can come to live as they wish without the persecution of others. The gay
community in America felt oppressed because, “The act of homosexual sex, even
in private homes, was punishable by a fine, 20 years in prison, or even a life sentence”
(PBS). On June 28th, 1969, the fight for gay sexual liberation in
hopes of having freedom took place. The gay community protested in a common
way. They rioted, held signs, and chanted loudly as a collective group.
Although it was not an original protest, their message began an uproar that
spread throughout the entire United States within the near future. One sign
being propelled into the air that stated, “Stonewall means, FIGHT BACK! SMASH
GAY OPRESSION! Gay Caucus of Y.A.W.F. (Youth Against War and Fascism)” (Word Press)
provided meaning as to why the events at Stonewall occurred and why the gay
community demanded freedom.
The Stonewall Inn was a gay bar
within the Greenwich section of New York City. On the night of June 28th,
1969, police raided the establishment in hopes of shutting down the gay bar for
the night. During the raid, there happened to be over two hundred people in the
bar and many became anxious and angry when the cops were shutting the business
down and eventually, it led to an outrage. Within an hour, violence ensued and
the riots moved out onto the streets of New York City (PBS). Demonstrations
lasted for six days, with the crowd of protestors growing larger and larger
every day. It became an event that although began through frustration, in the
future was know to be the kick-starter of other gay movements throughout
America.
The sign shown above was simple, but
established a great deal of pathos. The use of the word “oppression” evoked a
great deal of emotion towards their audience. When one thinks of oppression,
many examples can be connected such as the Japanese Americans that were present
during World War II. Because they were seen as a threat, they were put into
concentration camps, stripped of their rights, and were being watched over the
U.S. Government (PBS). Also, African Americans received oppression just prior
to the time of the Stonewall riots. People of color could not share the same
public space, use the same bathrooms, or shop in stores that all white people
could. Because of their skin, they had less rights and were treated
differently. It was not until 1965 when the Government delivered the first civil
rights package. The civil rights package made it legal for all African
Americans to vote (African Activist). With oppression still fresh in peoples’
minds, the gay community then comes out to the public, letting them know that
they felt oppressed as individuals. “Oppression” gauged the audience to feel
the same emotion that they felt during examples similar to the situation that
the gay people were experiencing. The idea of oppression could also be applied
to a logical appeal.
During the 1960’s, the idea of equal
rights was a topic of much discussion. Racism and sexism were primary examples
that were being argued in the United States. As stated above, the United States
first civil rights package was completed in 1965. Race was a long debated issue
that eventually was adjusted by giving more equal rights to African Americans.
When the protestors of Stonewall brought up the idea of equality and
oppression, they were hitting the rhetoric of kairos. In American history, the
United States had voted in favor of everyone receiving equal rights (PBS). So
as a result, it was a strong use of kairos from the protestors. Their timing of
bringing up equality amongst other Americans They acknowledged that they were
not equal amongst everyone else by way of sexuality, and appealed to the
audience by explaining that there were still groups within the United States
that were being discriminated against.
Along with the word “Oppression”, the phrase
“Gay Caucus of Y.A.W.F.” also demonstrated rhetorical strategy. In the time of
Stonewalls occurrence, Americas military was deep into the war of Vietnam November 1, 1955 – April 30, 1975. Large groups protested having soldiers
on the ground and demanded peace. Using the term, “Gay Caucus of Y.A.W.F.
(standing for Youth Against War and Fascism)” was a strong use of ethos because
it reached out to the audience who agreed with those beliefs. The Caucus was a
national organization that stood up for the rights of all oppressed people
(African Activist). The activist group represented many groups including the
Black Panther Party in 1966. They stood up for the rights of citizens being
oppressed. The group recognized that the protest was not an issue that was only
New York City’s problem. It showed that is was discrimination occurring
throughout the entire country. The Y.A.W.F. organization led the protests
against the Vietnam War. Having Y.A.W.F.’s support provided credibility to the
gay’s argument.
The banner represents a great deal of
pathos, ethos, and kairos. The strategies were effective but there was a lack
of logos utilized within the message. Although there was a lack of logos, the
other rhetorical strategies were more beneficial in the persuasion of the
audience.
The protests that occurred at
Stonewall were at the time relatively small, but the demonstrations led to the
creation of the gay community. Stonewall led to the creation of many other gay
rights activists groups that returned to New York City to commemorate the
Stonewall riots. Four years after the protests, the American Psychiatric Association
took homosexuality off of their list of disorders. In 1978-1998, gay, lesbian,
and bisexual groups have emerged as key parts of fortune 1000 companies
(Odinity). Jumping to June 26th 2015, the United States Supreme
Court ruled that gay marriage was to be legal in all fifty states (ProCon). Stonewall
served as a catalyst for all major advances in the law changes of gay rights.
It was the first national publicity to a gay rights protest and after the event
occurred, the mentality began to shift within the United States. Society slowly
began to change their belief in the discrimination of gays. Although the
protest used at Stonewall was ordinary, it was effective and made a difference.
The sign above provided so much information within such a small area. The use
of “Oppression” and “Gay Caucus of Y.A.W.F.”, was able to grasp the audience at
that time period and not only combined emotion into their argument, but the
sophistication within the text provided credibility and reason for American
citizens to agree and support the gay community.
Works Cited
Murray, Kelsey.
"The Stonewall Riots and Their Influence on Workplace
Discrimination." Odinity. Web. 23 Feb. 2016.
Nakagawa, Scott.
"Race and the Religious Right." Race and Ethnicity. Web. 23 Feb.
2016.
"Politics
of Reproductive Violence in the U.S." Nov. 2014. Web. 23 Feb. 2016.
"Should Gay
Marriage Be Legal?" Pro Con. 16 Feb. 2016. Web. 23 Feb. 2016.
"Stonewall
Uprising." American Experience. Web. 23 Feb. 2016.
"Who Have
Been the Most Oppressed Group of Human Beings in the History of Humanity?"
Hub Pages. 16 Nov. 2008. Web. 23 Feb. 2016.
"Youth
Against War & Fascism." African Activist Archive. Web. 23 Feb. 2016.
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