Martin Luther King Jr.'s I Have a Dream Speech

2177 Words5 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The impact of martin luther king

Martin Luther King Jr. was introduced on that hot August day as the “Moral Leader of the Nation”. As such he played a key role in the Civil Rights movement. His “I have a dream” speech ensured that he would remain so because of its powerful impact. There are three main categories of reasons that it is regarded as one of the greatest speeches of all time. The first area is historical; the second is in regards to the technical aspects of the speech itself; while the final reason is spiritual.

It is often said that the winners write the history books. In this case, key elements of Dr. King’s demands for satisfaction came to pass very quickly and did not have to wait upon ‘gradualism’. Segregation laws were abolished. Universal suffrage became a reality. Police brutality was severely curtailed. If Dr. King had been shot and those sharing his dream disbursed, the speech would have been forgotten along with his dreams. One key area that Dr. King demanded as a key point that seems to have been ignored though was his concluding demand from Amos 5:24 that ‘righteousness (rolls down) like a might stream’. It seems to be a more distant dream now than in 1963. In spite of that failure to bring about righteousness, the fact that his speech did play a part in bringing about real change for most of his demands of justice is foundational in it being considered one of the greatest speeches of all time. Mark Sanborn quoted in Servant Empowered Leadership (Page, p. 162) sums up what an effective communicator needs to do: “to create through his or her communication a cascading vision that flows outward to energize everyone in the organization.” History shows that his speech did in fact accomplish that. Simply put, it worked.

Apart...

... middle of paper ...

...drew from the master communicator, the Holy Spirit. Jesus himself said he came to set the captives frees. By following the clear truths of God’s desire that all the captives be set free from injustice I believe the Holy Spirit inspired King as he wrote. God desired that justice come, and he used King as a part in bringing that about. I pray that one day King’s dream of seeing righteousness rolling down into America may also one day be fulfilled.

King’s speech was truly great because history proved its value. The technical elements of the entire speech from opening statements to closing vision were masterfully crafted. It also had the full weight of the passion of God for justice to roll down like rivers behind it. These three combined ensure that Kings “I have a dream” speech will continue to be heralded as one of history’s greatest speeches of all time.

Show More
Related

  • I Have A Dream Ethos Pathos Logos

    624 Words  | 2 Pages

    Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most important voices of America, who used non-violent methods to fight for freedom and equality for all in his nation. On August 28th, 1969, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., King delivered his most iconic speech “I Have a Dream.” In this speech, repetition, ethos, pathos, and logos are used to persuade the audience about the importance of the Civil Rights Movement. To create the greatest demonstration for freedom, he used these literary devices to “dramatize a shameful condition” (“I Have a Dream”). Although his life was taken away, his legacy continues to live on today.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis of Martin Luther King's I Have A Dream Speech

    1035 Words  | 3 Pages

    Dr. King is a man who is over flowed of nothing but creditability. Not once he pointed his finger as a child would and blame the Caucasian men for forcing the African-American to attempt to survive a horrific ordeal of history. He encouraged his brother and sisters of color not to protests with bitter and physical violence but to engage hands and peacefully demand to be treated equally. He encouraged his colored brothers and sisters to go back to where they are from with not despair in their hearts, but hope that one day there will be freedom within reach.

    Read More

  • Martin Luther King James Mlk Speech: The MLK Speech

    1516 Words  | 4 Pages

    In conclusion, King’s “I Have a Dream,” played a major step in inspiring generations of blacks to never give up and made thousands of white Americans bitterly ashamed of their lack of moral and Godly values, forging a new start for the American society that embraces racial equality. The speech’s heart-warming and moving content coupled with King’s effective voice and the usage of literary devices such as Aristotle’s Art of Rhetoric have made this speech the greatest of the 20th century.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Martin Luther King's I Have A Dream

    1043 Words  | 3 Pages

    In a time of time where few were willing to tune in, Martin Luther King, Jr. stood gladly, assembled and held the consideration of more than 200,000 individuals. Martin Luther King, Jr 's. "I Have a Dream" discourse was extremely compelling and motivational for African Americans in 1963. Numerous variables influenced Kings ' discourse in an extremely positive way; the immense feeling behind the words, conveying the discourse on the progressions of the commemoration of the President who vanquished subjection. What 's more, not just was this message perfectly written in the trust of African Americans, yet the hidden message for white individuals, unrest and peace. To empower feeling from both sides of his audience members, King utilized a determination

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Letter From Birmingham Jail By Martin Luther King

    858 Words  | 2 Pages

    He shows a lot of authority in the way he writes and speaks. King is trying to show everyone that he is well-educated and well-cultured. He shows strong leadership and well guidance to his fellow followers. “Some have asked, ‘Why didn’t you give the new administration time to act?’ The only answer that I can give inquiry is that new administration must be prodded about as much as the ongoing one before it acts. We will be sadly mistaken if we fed that election of Mr. Boutwell will bring the millennium to Birmingham.” (King 2) As King says “we will sadly be mistaken” he clarifies that he is speaking for all his followers and believers (King 2). King speaks on behave of his follow friends, group members, and believers. Also when King says, “The only answer that I can give inquiry is…” he shows hegemony because he is saying I. By him saying I can give inquiry, it shows that he does know what he is taking about and how he is well aware of the situation. Therefore, he can be trusted by others. “We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntary given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” (King 2). In this statement, King allows us to understand and visualize the way it was for him and all African Americans. King takes matters into his own hands and deliberates the real way of life for them. He explains how most felt and how most had to gain respect for themselves. He explains that they have

    Read More

  • Legacy of Martin Luther King Junior: A Riveting Journey

    281 Words  | 1 Pages

    One of the greatest leaders in Americas history, Martin Luther King Junior was born, on January 15, 1929. He had a lot of great achievement's throughout his life.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical In I Have A Dream Speech

    991 Words  | 2 Pages

    King was able to appeal to the audience emotions, doubts, feelings, and aspiration through the use of pathos in the “I Have a Dream” speech. The repetition in the phrase: “I Have a Dream” provided the audience with a sense of confidence and optimism. Mark Vail explained the phrase: “I Have a Dream” as an “integrated the overarching tripartite organization of his speech into a single, cogent argument for his audience.”(2006) Pathos appeals to emotion based on charged descriptions of people, objects, events, or actions. Dr. King used anaphora throughout his speech to gain impetus with each line for applause after a few repetitions. Some examples are: "One hundred years later, the negro...", "Now is the time...", "I have a dream...", "Some of you...", and "Let freedom ring..." Dr. King used biblical terms and religion to gain an emotional reaction and connection to the audience: "The glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.” Yan explains some of Dr. King’s biblical references: “King had a deep knowledge of scripture he quoted verses from Amos and Isaiah, and subtly referenced passages from Psalms and Galatians. These allusions surely resonated with large portions of his audience, and gave his words -an added layer of depth.”(2015) In which explains that the Lord will come and that all men will come and stand together. Dr. King makes a point that relates and appeals to every father that desires a better future for his children. “I

    Read More

  • Martin Luther King: Racism And Equality

    767 Words  | 2 Pages

    Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech had a great impact on America and helped shaped the lives of millions. Racism is still a primary issue in America that still needs improvement. The audience was motivated by his powerful speech that he gave on August 28, 1963. The three elements made his speech really effective towards the audience. He used a lot of rhetorical devices especially metaphor in his speech that sparked the audience. Martin Luther King Jr. was a very motivated African American that wanted freedom and equality for the colored. He wanted America to be very

    Read More

  • Martin Luther King I Have A Dream Speech

    1108 Words  | 3 Pages

    “I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” Martin Luther King Jr. from the “I Have a Dream” speech on August 28th, 1963. This quote is one of his most famous, because a significant amount of people could relate to it and even after more than fifty years people still do.

    Read More

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Speech

    924 Words  | 2 Pages

    Martin Luther King Jr. was a big impact on the world, he stood up for what he believed in. When Martin was young, he and his family went through a lot of discrimination and threats of violence many times throughout the day. Martin did not like the way he and others were treated, he wanted to make a difference, so he became the leader of the Civil Rights Movement to stop segregation. Martin Luther King Jr. is a hero because he wanted equal rights for everyone.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis of Martin Luther King's I Have A Dream Speech

    822 Words  | 2 Pages

    On August 28, 1963 Martin Luther King made his famous “I Have a dream” speech on the Lincoln Memorial after the March on Washington. He delivered this speech to millions of people blacks and whites. This is one of the greatest speeches because it has many elements like pathos, logos, ethos, repetition, assonance, and consonance.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis of Martin Luther King's I Have A Dream Speech

    988 Words  | 2 Pages

    In a period of time where few were willing to listen, Martin Luther King, Jr. stood proudly, gathered and held the attention of over 200,000 people. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech was very effective and motivational for African Americans in 1963. Many factors affected Kings’ speech in a very positive manner; the great emotion behind the words, delivering the speech on the steps of the memorial of the President who defeated slavery. And not only was this message beautifully written for the hope of African Americans, but the underlying message for white people, revolution and peace. To stimulate emotion from both parties of his listeners, King used a selection of rhetorical devices such as allusions to historical documents, metaphors, similes, anaphoras and others.

    Read More

  • Pathos In I Have A Dream Speech

    746 Words  | 2 Pages

    On August 28th, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous and powerful speech I Have a Dream, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. The purpose of his speech was to fight for the civil rights, equality, and to stop the discrimination against African-American people. His use of imagery, repetition, and metaphor in his speech had created an impact with his audience. King used the three rhetorical devices, ethos, pathos and logos to help the audience understand the message of his speech.

    Read More

  • Martin Luther King

    1020 Words  | 3 Pages

    King’s historical speech in 1963 has held great symbolic value not only for the African Americans, but also for all of the equal rights supporters of every age and race. He was the first one who really fought for the same rights of African Americans and therefore inspired other people to live his dream and to continue his work for racial equality.

    Read More

  • Dr. Martin Luther King's I Have A Dream Speech

    1012 Words  | 3 Pages

    Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech describes the past, present, and future lives of African-Americans. Racism of African-American was a huge issue of the time, which created kairotic moment for the speech and motivated Dr. King to demonstrate the racial problems of the time. The propose of Dr. King’s speech was to inform people about racial equality and fairness by providing hope and a vision of the future. Dr. King’s speech was intended for different types of audience especially for racial supremacists and African-Americans who were discriminated against.

    Read More

More about Martin Luther King Jr.'s I Have a Dream Speech

Open Document