Question

read the excerpt from jackie robinsons letter to president eisenhower.

i respectfully remind you sir, that we have been the most patient of all people. when you said we must have self-respect, i wondered how we could have self-respect and remain patient considering the treatment accorded to us through the years.

which best explains why robinson includes this description of black people?

to warn the president that black people are tired of waiting and will soon take action
to point out that black people have greatly suffered for far too long
to assure the president that black people would continue to wait patiently
to show that he respects the president and all he has done to help black people

Explanation:

Analyze the excerpt

Using the Jackie Robinson Letter Analysis and Rhetorical Analysis knowledge points

• Robinson states: "I respectfully remind you sir, that we have been the most patient of all people."
• He adds: "When you said we must have self-respect, I wondered how we could have self-respect and remain patient considering the treatment accorded to us through the years."
• This highlights the tension between being urged to remain "patient" and the long history of unfair, degrading treatment ("treatment accorded to us through the years") that undermines self-respect.

Evaluate the options

Using the Rhetorical Analysis knowledge point

• Option 1: "to warn the president that Black people are tired of waiting and will soon take action" — The tone is respectful and focuses on the psychological and historical burden of patience rather than issuing an active threat of immediate action.
• Option 2: "to point out that Black people have greatly suffered for far too long" — This directly aligns with "considering the treatment accorded to us through the years" and the challenge of remaining patient under such long-term suffering.
• Option 3: "to assure the president that Black people would continue to wait patiently" — Robinson is questioning the expectation of continued patience, not promising it.
• Option 4: "to show that he respects the president and all he has done to help Black people" — While he uses the word "respectfully," the core purpose of this specific description is to challenge the president's advice on patience, not to praise his actions.

Answer:

• to warn the president that Black people are tired of waiting and will soon take action
• to point out that Black people have greatly suffered for far too long (Correct answer)
• to assure the president that Black people would continue to wait patiently
• to show that he respects the president and all he has done to help Black people