Martin Luther King Jr Civil Rights Speech Analysis

Words: 1243
Pages: 5
Open Document
Growing up African American is one thing, but growing up African American during a time of hatred and racism towards the colored population is another. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived in a period where no individual of color had the ability to be his or her own person, but went on and made a decision to create change in the African American community as a whole. He was encouraged to do such, by becoming a Baptist minister and social activist, all while living his life as one of the most important leaders in the American Civil Rights movement. Dr. King was inspired to seek equality for all African Americans, as well as being determined, motivated, and a firm force behind historical events that gave him such a praised name. His many endeavors …show more content…
King begins his speech with honorable recognition to a fellow friend and how he is in awe of the many faces that showed up, just as determined as he is. He gives awareness to those listening about what is going on around them, right there in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee. King then goes on to explain his passion through the many different ages in history, but how the age in which he is present, is the one that brings the most satisfaction. He states how he would come upon the many days of significance, in places such as Egypt, Greece, the Roman Empire, but lets it be known, he wouldn’t stop there. He would travel to the Renaissance, continue on to watch Martin Luther tack on the ninety-five theses to a church door, but still, he wouldn’t stop there. Dr. King said he would go to the day President Abraham Lincoln would realize that he needed to sign the Emancipation Proclamation, come upon the days of the early thirties, but he wouldn’t stop there. At that moment, he goes on to state, ”Strangely enough, I would turn to the Almighty, and say, "If you allow me to live just a few years in the second half of the 20th century, I will be happy." ’’(“Martin Luther King Jr.”1). The point to be understood during that particular part of Dr. King’s speech was that he understands what is happening. King knows that it needs to be dark to see the light, and where they are at, in that time period, is
Show More

Related Documents: Martin Luther King Jr Civil Rights Speech Analysis

Martin Luther King I Have A Dream Rhetorical Analysis

years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, Martin Luther King Jr. stated “The Nego is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation”. In the struggle for freedom, Martin Luther King Jr. incorporated his Christian background and the peaceful tactics of Mahatma Gandhi, and led the African American community in the Civil Rights Movement. In his speech “I Have a Dream”, Martin Luther King Jr. used rhetorical concepts to unify this nation at the steps of the Lincoln…

Words 1263 - Pages 6

Martin Luther King Jr.: Pioneer Of The Civil Rights Movement

Introduction As the awakening of equal human rights, civil rights campaigns sprung up in America in the last century. One of the pioneers of the movements was Martin Luther King Jr, an American Baptist minister, whose famous public speech I have a dream persuaded American citizens to participate in civil right movement and defend for the Black. It was regarded as the most inspiring American speech of the 20th century by an investigation of scholars on public addresses in 1999 (Stringer & Brumfield…

Words 1861 - Pages 8

Dr. Martin Luther King Research Paper

Communications Essay DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. SPEECH “I HAVE A DREAM” Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15 , 1929 and died on April 4, 1968. He was born Michael Luther King Jr. but decided to change his name to Martin. Both Martin Luther’s grandfather and father were pastors of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. Martin Luther carried on the tradition and served as pastor from 1960-1968 (Nobel Prize, 1). He was a big part of the civil rights movement for his race. In fact…

Words 1417 - Pages 6

I Have A Dream Speech Rhetorical Analysis

I Have A Dream Rhetorical Analysis Activist, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was a man of many words. He was a man who possessed admirable qualities and demonstrated power with fine grace and composure. All who listened were transfixed by what he had to say. Dr. King made great strides for African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement of the 20th century, a time when blacks were segregated and subject to racial injustice. On the mark of 100 years following the Emancipation Proclamation that freed…

Words 741 - Pages 3

Martin Luther King Memorial Essay

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is the newest memorial to be built in Washington D.C. The memorial was finished with construction in the summer of 2011. This memorial celebrates the life of one of the most influential leaders of the Civil Rights era, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This is a reminder of Dr. Kings’ powerful impact on the country and even the world. It was only right that a memorial was built in Washington D.C. to honor the life of this powerful man. Dr. Kings’ memorial is located…

Words 1964 - Pages 8

Martin Luther King Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Freedom Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech is one of the most successful and most legendary speeches in United States history. Martin Luther King Jr. was a masterful speaker, who established a strong command of rhetorical strategies. By his eloquent use of ethos, logos, and pathos, as well as his command of presentation skills and rhetorical devices, King was able to persuade his generation that "the Negro is not free" (King 1). His speech became the rallying cry for civil rights and lives…

Words 1391 - Pages 6

Julius Caesar Kill Them With Kindness Analysis

Kill Them with Kindness (An analysis of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar) The world we live in today is filled with violence. Whether it be through the news, books, video games, or movies, society is constantly being bombarded with violence and war. Growing up, children learn at an early age that violence can solve any problem. Violence is never the answer. People who act out in violence ruin their own lives, and others' lives as well. People die for no reason every day from unstable men, women…

Words 991 - Pages 4

Essay on Homework: African American and Martin Luther King

Martin Luther king changed history on all for the African American's but for colored people meaning tanned people, Spanish, black, brown and any colored skin tone.It's not what Martin Luther King did for just African Americans but what he did for ALL Americans that is significant. Fifty years ago, America was run mostly by white Protestant males and all others were to one degree or another less than fully enfranchised in many ways. We now have many examples of people from backgrounds of all races…

Words 1001 - Pages 5

1 Amendment To The Constitution Always With You Essay

the same year, they adapted and ratified the Bill of Rights, which are the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution of the US. The Bill of Rights was written by a statesmen and political theorist, also known as “Father of Constitution”, James Madison. Owing to him and to Anti-Federalists, who criticized the Constitution of the US due to absence of the human rights, the Bill of Rights was drafted. So it was written to protect the individual rights of citizens. For any citizen of America the most important…

Words 2262 - Pages 10

A Rhetorical Analysis Of Cesar Chavez

that is inspired and employing ethos to validate Martin’s methods, Cesar Chavez,an American civil rights activist, comes off as more genuine and trustworthy to his audience which helps him get the reader to be more involved with his analysis of King’s work over the years.Throughout the speech, Cesar Chavez adopts a tone of devotion and inspiration which encourages the reader to acknowledge Martin Luther King Jr’s exploits.One sentence that led me to believe this was,”Dr King’s death gives us the best…

Words 449 - Pages 2