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Dr. Martin Luther King's Struggle For Freedom

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For hundreds of years people around the world have had to fight for freedom. Some people say that freedom is never given; it must be demanded. I agree with this statement because of Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech, Benjamin Banneker’s Letter to Thomas Jefferson, and Ahdaf Soueif’s “Cairo: My City, Our Revolution. These passages give examples of peaceful protesting to an all-out revolution proving that freedom is never given; it must be demanded.
Two score and thirteen years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. met in Washington D.C. during a rally on Congress and on the steps to the Lincoln Memorial, he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream Speech.” This speech was so powerful because Dr. King peacefully said his speech from the …show more content…

In his letter. Banneker gives examples of how Jefferson, a man “based on freedom” is hypocritical. Although Banneker himself is not a slave, he fights for “his brothers”. “This, sir, was a time when you clearly saw the injustice of a state of slavery, and in which you had a just apprehension of its horrors. It was then, when your abhorrence was so excited, that you publicly held forth this true and most valuable doctrine: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, and that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."(Banneker 8). Although Banneker gives strong and reliable factual evidence, his matters aren’t quite strong enough as it would take another 200 years for full racial freedom. His fight was not wasted as it left thought in people 's minds and inspired many to keep …show more content…

In the city of Cairo, people joined together and fought for what they deserved, the opportunity for freedom. The author, Ahdaf Soueif, uses the words “We” and “Together” often to symbolize that they stand together and will fight. During this time people joined together and made an unbreakable bond to defend what they believe in. To sum up the dedicating and crucial article the author simply says. “Some of us died.” An anticlimactic ending that seems so little but means so much as to people dedicating their lives for

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In the letter to Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Banneker, it is evident that Banneker uses the rhetorical strategies of humility, religious references, and historical references to create a foundation for a rational and favorable argument against slavery. Banneker is clearly a well-educated man with a background of respectable talents (“…farmer, astronomer, mathematician…” etc.). However, he does not allow his knowledge to condescend towards the white man to whom he is writing. Banneker’s humility is a rhetorical device that contributes to the argument against slavery. Never in the letter does Banneker refer to Jefferson by name.

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On August 28th, 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King held one of the most powerful and influential speeches in human history. The speech was held in front of more than 200 000 people and concerned the injustices of discrimination of African Americans which was taking place in the United States at the time. In his first statement he says: “I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.” With this introduction Mr. King firmly states what the essence of his speech will be.

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There was not any room for patience, only for change. Another captivating speaker is reputable Martin Luther King whom enticed a mass public with influential persuasive language. The iconic “I Have a Dream Speech” delivered at the March on Washington—same march John Lewis presented his speech—utilized a somewhat different approach. King’s speech depicted the life that was yearned for by so many.

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They had not yet won their freedom or equality. Slavery would need to be abolished first. Benjamin Banneker wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson about this very dilemma. Banneker, always remaining respectful and aggressive, argues against slavery by using many rhetorical devices throughout his letter. “…all men are created equal...”

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Benjamin Banneker in the letter, argues against slavery. Banneker uses biblical allusion, and a melancholic tone in order to argue against slavery to Thomas Jefferson in 1791.     Banneker uses biblical allusion in order to demonstrate that all humans should be treated the same, and have equal rights. For example, “you cannot but acknowledge that the present freedom and tranquility which you enjoy you have mercifully received and that it is the pecular blessing of Heaven” (Banneker 1). Banneker presents his argument by stating that Thomas Jefferson has freedom because of heaven, and he should extend the same right to everyone else.

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Hypocrisy is one of the worst moral crimes someone can commit. Benjamin Banneker's letter to Thomas Jefferson explains that he has committed this crime. He has gone back on his morale of everyone having unalienable rights by letting slavery continue to happen, and Banneker believes he is the prime contender in allowing this crime to happen and that he should be the start and make the move to stop slavery. Banneker explains this to Jefferson in such a way that the letter is both respectful and thoughtful while also being rude due to the use of how he phrases his sentences, that his argument can not be questioned because of his use of ‘Sir’ to show his respect, and his ardent choice of words which are all collectively used to explain how Jefferson is being hypocritical and show him why he should fix this.

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Throughout the letter Banneker uses different allusions to help persuade Jefferson to rethink slavery in the states. Mr. Banneker alludes to the Declaration of Independence in his letter when he writes the most memorable words in the Declaration, “We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal.” In Banneker’s mind that means all men are created equal, regardless of their skin color . Not only did Banneker allude to the famous document, but he also refers the biggest

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On the tenth anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Casar Chavez published an article stating Dr.King ideal and supporting nonviolence resistance. Throughout the article, Chavez explain and convince why through nonviolence resistance a change can be made. Chavez use of rhetorical skill like the use of diction to compare and contrast nonviolence against violence resistance, use repetition, and appeal to human moral and religious belief to help support his argument for nonviolence resistance. The use of the repetition of “we” and “us” show that Chavez is on the people side and are united, which makes the atmosphere more relaxed and less tense.

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Yusef is faced with the memories and the pain brought by the memorial that are almost too much to bare. Yusef is fighting an internal war due to the fact that he faces sorrows that this war brings into his life. The speaker has a grim tone throughout the story and casts a soldier's perspective. This story made the reader experience the pain that Yusef was going through. This story touched the reader as Yusef had to revisit his dark past.

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On August 28th, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr gave us one of one of the most rhetorically moving speeches ever given. Titled as the “I Have a Dream Speech,” he read this speech to the “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom”. As a civil right mover he gave this great speech to all Americans (black and white) so that he could give off the idea of equality on the same level. Because of his crowd of mix races King made sure to make his speech imploring to all no matter what the race that they may be. He uses metaphorical imagery, powerful diction,and symbolism to create an impact on the audience.

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Banneker wrote a letter that argues against slavery from a former slave’s son point of view. He has argued against slavery by demonstrating his knowledge through word choices and repetition, and showed respect through his tone. By doing so, Banneker was able to argue against slavery and provoke Jefferson’s emotions on

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The Bystander Effect: A Result of a Human Drive Repetitive cries and screams for help were heard in Kew Gardens, New York on the Friday night of March 13th in 1964. As the 28-year-old Kitty Genovese was approaching her doorstep, an attacker –Winston Moseley- came from behind and started to stab her repeatedly. Despite her loud calls for help, turning on the bedroom lights along the neighborhood is all what her calls were capable of. None of the thirty nearby neighbors wanted to go under the spotlight of answering the call of duty so it wasn’t before 20 minutes when the anonymous hero that lived next door decided to call the police. It was four years later when our victim’s story became the perfect example to explain the social psychological

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There are many issues or problems exist in America. There are also many people who became the faces of the revolutions. These people became the leader of many movements and their words became the guide of the Americans. Some of these people even sacrificed their lives in order to bring a change in the imperfect system of America. Serving people and acting on behalf of others is something noteworthy, and this is what these people did.

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“Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!” are the old words of a Negro Spiritual. In “I Have a Dream” by Dr. Martin Luther King, he persuades Americans to treat everyone equally and how we can’t give up until it’s done.

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An outsider may see this resistance as good, as they people stand up for themselves and their beliefs. Instead of being silenced these strong citizens aim to go against the new governing system. Nevertheless, one cannot forget nor diminish the risk these people take: “My father had gone to take some photos of the demonstration (…). It was strictly forbidden. He had even been arrested once but escaped at last minute.”

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