smokey
2A TEACHER
- Jan 31, 2008
- 31,522
They wanted Rosa Parks to comply too.
This is actually a more important post than you may have intended. "know your audience". Your testimony can be made to be more effective if you speak to not only the specific values of the committee members, but to the values of their constituents. It's especially powerful if you happen to be someone from a demographic group they are trying to use as a political prop.
For instance, I am a teacher. While I could frame my argument from many different angles, my most impactful one to the committee is probably to argue as a teacher, in the interest of my students, against their caricature of the situation. Another would be someone who is black citing the racist roots of gun control, complete with comparisons of the proposed legislation to poll taxes, and literacy tests. It's difficult for a democrat to argue why burdens should be placed against the 2a, but should not be placed against things like voting. It's easy to explain how underprivileged minorities are disproportionately negatively impacted by financial, time, and training burdens....while being the most in need of tools for defense.
Also try not to lose your cool. Adrenaline is real and the fight-flight-freeze response may pop up. If you're like me, it may combine with your dislike for your oppressors and materialize as some verbal jabs at them. If you attack them, they're more likely to disregard your testimony than if you speak in a way they can identify with.