TOW #9: Hillary Clinton's Concession Speech

This week has been incredibly difficult for me, and at times seemingly insurmountable, after I heard the results of the presidential election. However, some small things have comforted me (the latest Saturday Night Live episode being one) and helped me realize that the world truly is not as harsh and terrible as it sometimes appears. Reading and watching Hillary Clinton deliver her concession speech has also been comforting, although it left me incredibly emotional.

Clinton is incredibly clear and direct while addressing her audience, which is incredibly wide-reaching and varied. She devotes different parts of her speech to different audiences, addressing leaders like Barack and Michelle Obama and her running mate Tim Kaine directly. Clinton talks to other groups in a broad sense, as she addresses "young people", "all the women", or "all the little girls". Her intentions are clear through this broad and diverse audience: she wants to unite the American people, Democrats and Republicans both, and move forward as gracefully into the future as possible.

Her use of collective pronouns in her speech is indicative and supportive of her main purpose, which is to unite the American people after the incredibly divisive and hateful election season. By including viewers through saying things like "we are stronger together and we will go forward together", Clinton not only engages her audience, but attempts to show them that she is on their side. It is incredibly powerful, and the use of collective pronouns is a tool used by nearly every politician to create a bond with their supporters and even those who do not support them.

I think her purpose is incredibly admirable. Not only is Clinton admitting her defeat with honor and grace, she is encouraging her supporters and other upset Americans to do the same, no matter the circumstances. She describes her "successes and setbacks" to young voters, encouraging them to "never stop believing that fighting for what's right is worth it". This line struck a chord with me -- even while Clinton vies for a peaceful and democratic society, she encourages people to fight back if the society they live in is not fair or just. It is incredibly humbling to think that the first female presidential candidate has had an incredible number of setbacks in her life, and yet has not given up for fighting for what she believes is right. Hillary Rodham Clinton is not giving up, and neither should we.