TOW #7: Cecile Richards Defends Planned Parenthood (Written)

"It's just, it's a shame to think that there are people in this country who are so committed to ending women's access to both birth control, and safe and legal abortions, that they'll really resort to any means to try to entrap people, twist the truth, in order to reach their ends, but again, we believe, and why I'm here voluntarily today, is that the facts are on our side; we're proud of the health care we deliver every single year, despite the animosity by some, and we're grateful that the American people stands by Planned Parenthood, as I think the Wall Street Journal showed last night."

- Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America

[Transcribed from here]

A few months earlier, the anti-abortion group Center for Medical Progress released "undercover" videos, which resulted in accusations that Planned Parenthood illegally profits from fetal tissue donation. In investigations since then, the videos have been shown to be doctored and misleading. Nevertheless, that has not stopped a concerted effort from the U.S. government to shut down federal funding to Planned Parenthood. A little less than a month ago, Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, faced a 5-hour-long hearing in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The above statement is from Richards defending the organization.

In spite of the statement's length, Richards manages to use a number of rhetorical devices to convince both the House and the American people to bolster their support for Planned Parenthood in a time of unfair and misogynistic scrutiny. Richards appeals to pathos with conniving diction. The verbs "entrap" and "twist" conjure a sinister view of the Center for Medical Progress, as opposed to a simply dishonest one. She makes a point of saying that she is voluntarily at the hearing to imply that the committee's drastic concerns are unfounded and to parallel an emphasis on individuals' (mostly women's) right to choose. Finally, Richards also uses first person plural pronouns when describing Planned Parenthood to create a personal connection with the audience. It is imperative that Richards maintains transparency under such close examination, and the alternative third person would create too much distance and mistrust in the audience.

Richards also appeals to logos, albeit briefly, when she states that the organization believes the facts are on their side. Because this is a spoken defense given shortly, the audience understands that a more detailed explanation of these facts is to come. Those in the American population familiar with the background of the story will understand that some of the evidence is edited to untruthfully convey a certain point. With a mention to the Wall Street Journal, Richards also appeals to ethos. The reference to a well-known, third-party source is intended to convince the audience of Planned Parenthood's reputability. In a final appeal to pathos, Richards expands the magnitude of the hearing by saying that the American people stand by Planned Parenthood. The House and citizens listening understand that this hearing affects not just the organization, but millions of individuals.