Intention

Marlon Peterson’s overall intention with “Am I not human? A call for criminal justice reform” is to convince the audience that prisoners deserve rehabilitation programs instead of only punishment.

To achieve this intention, the speaker uses his personal experience: “It was during those years in prison that a series of letters redeemed me, gave me…, helped me move beyond the darkness and the guilt associated with the worst moment of my young life.” (ll. 25-26) Sharing with the audience how a rehabilitation program helped him become a better person while in prison shows them that such programs can have a positive effect.

At the same time, the speaker tries to build a convincing case, arguing that most people who end up committing crimes have a traumatic background: “…the trauma associated with living in a community where guns are easier to get than sneakers; that the trauma associated with being raped at gunpoint at the age of 14…” (ll. 37-39)

Pathos is used as Peterson shares some of the causes that influenced him to become a criminal. In this way, the s...