This article was written by Joyce Chen and includes Aly Raisman's testimony against Larry Nassar.
Aly Raisman's diction was formal while addressing Larry Nassar in her testimony in court. Raisman addressed the judge as "Your Honor". She spoke to the judge with respect. Nassar's trial is a very professional place and Raisman had to speak to him formally and professionally. Raisman has a deep emotional attachment to the trial because Nassar abused her. He molested her for years and told her it was normal. He also abused her teammates and other gymnasts for the last 30 years. She was furious that he got away with it and only now he is being put on trial. She explained her anger at Nassar: "You lied to me and manipulated me...". She trusted him and he abused it. Raisman had an indignant tone during her testimony because of Nassar's actions. While speaking to the judge, Raisman asked the judge to "give Larry the strongest possible sentence, which his actions deserve". This demonstrates the Raisman wants Nassar to be punished for crimes. Raisman's tone was indignant during her testimony. She told Nassar, "...you are nothing." She was angry that he was such a highly thought of doctor and was able to abuse her and many others. Now he will be going to jail for 175 years and does not mean anything to anyone. Raisman stated, "Abuse goes way beyond the moment, often haunting survivors for the rest of their lives, making it difficult to trust and impacting their relationships." She explained that what he did affects how she interacts and socializes with others. She emphasizes that what he did is going to stay with her and the other survivors for a while, if not the rest of their lives. Raisman used all three appeals in her testimony. She appealed to pathos by stating, "Imagine how it feels to be an innocent teenager in a foreign country hearing a knock on the door and it’s you. I don’t want you to be there, but I don’t have a choice." This appeals to pathos by telling others of her experience and how he took advantage of and manipulated a young teenage girl in a different country. Then, she was not given a choice of who she wanted to work with and was forced to work with an abuser. She then goes on to say, "Lying on my stomach with you on my bed insisting that your inappropriate touch would help to heal my pain." She appeals to pathos by describing what he did to her on one of the many occasions that he molested her. She was lied to and exploited for Nassar's personal gain. Raisman appealed to logos by stating, "Your abuse started 30 years ago". This is a fact. As of now, the first person to come out against him claimed that she was abused 30 years ago. She also stated, "... USA Gymnastics announced that it was terminating its lease at the Ranch...". This is also a fact because if you research the USA Gymnastics, there will be links to the announcement about the termination of the lease. She appealed to ethos by stating, "...I felt guilty because you were a doctor so I assumed I was the problem for thinking badly of you." She appealed to ethos by pointing out that Nassar is a doctor, so he should be trusted. Doctors are known for being professional and knowing what they are doing. Raisman thought of them no differently at first. She admitted, " From the time we were little, we are taught to trust doctors." This appeals to ethos because this is something that most people were told growing up. She relates to the people because this was something she was taught and believed. The purpose of the testimony was to tell Nassar how she felt about what he did and the actions of those involved in helping Nassar operate. The majority of the testimony was directed towards Nassar and those involved. The audience is impacted by the testimony because it could help other victims come out against their abusers and give them the strength and courage they need. The position that Raisman took is very important. She is coming out against Nassar and gives voice to what she had to endure. She is part of the bigger picture and movement against sexual harassment in the sports industry.
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