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The impact of Martin Luther King’s speech
Martin luther king and his speech
Martin luther king and his speech
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Dr. King successfully makes use of several rhetorical devices throughout this letter, none being more prevalent than that of logos. Dr. King’s arguments are exceedingly logical in their appeal. He clarifies all of the points for his arguments as well as providing supporting details for them as well. For example, in the beginning of his letter, Dr. King offers a direct response to the clergymen’s critical claims that these protest were “unwise” as well as “untimely”(Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 1) .Throughout
Dr. King also included definitions and examples of unjust and just laws, and how they are not right. He included an example of these “laws” by talking about the things Adolf Hitler did was allowed but supposedly helping someone was not allowed. He writes and uses the letter to show the white Americans that are unaware of what is happening around them. Even, though Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is best remembered for his powerful voice and pathos in this letter is a thoughtful logical argument. Rhetorical Situations: Writer:
Riddled with racial tension and a lack of equal rights, the 1950-60s exposed the truth behind segregation. In a letter written by Doctor Martin Luther King, “Letter from Birmingham Jail” King attacks the idea of racial inequality, and exposes the plights met by black families and individuals. In this letter, King uses excellent examples of imagery to show the racial discrimination being experienced. During this time of discrimination, the struggle for racial equality was prevalent, and extremely brutal. Given the circumstances of this time, discrimination turned into violence due to racial motivation.
In his "Letter from Birmingham Jail," Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. uses vivid imagery to argue that due to racial inequality, King’s demonstrations are justified. King brings up the harsh truth of the violence experienced by African Americans by saying that daily, "vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will... drown your sisters and brothers at whim." and that "hate-filled policemen curse, kick and even kill your black brothers and sisters;" (King 14). King vividly describes racial inequality with terms such as "vicious mobs" and "hate-filled policemen. " King uses pathos to show that, due to the racial violence, African Americans are justified in the demonstrations and their fight for social justice.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most powerful speaker of his time, spoke out against segregation to millions, making history for many years to come. The speech “ I Have a Dream” by Dr. King was spoken to millions of nonviolent protesters on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. That same year, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote the “Letter From Birmingham Jail” to eight white clergymen that criticized his actions. The letter was written in the margins of a newspaper at the Birmingham, Alabama jail. In the two selections Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote, he used logos and pathos to explain his views on segregation.
Amity Lodevico ENG 1A Professor Clark 10 September, 2016 A strong country can only prevail when individuals have attained the ideals of justice and equality. However, throughout American history people have had to fight for their rights due to the injustices caused by the government. In “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Martin Luther King Jr. promotes the importance of justice and equality through responding to a letter from clergymen who wanted him to stop protesting against racial inequality. King’s letter builds upon his influences such as Henry David Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience” and Thomas Jefferson’s “The Declaration of Independence,” through expressing discontentment with injustice and proclaiming away to combat it. The texts can also
Martin Luther King Jr. inexplicably opened the eyes of Americans across the nation with his role in the movement and his use of resonating imagery, excellent emotional appeal, powerful voice, and evocation of logic in his “I Have a Dream” speech. With such an enthralling rhetoric he gained a vast amount of support and exponentially increased the pride in standing up for what’s righteous and just. Exemplifying the throes of being a colored person, King evoked sympathy whilst simultaneously applying the valid logic that no human should be subjected to lesser standards. His rhetoric wholly changed American history that day and thus conveyed his ability to maintain equanimity throughout all of the
King was inspiring person who change lives. The body of his work is something another man, may not achieve. He was isolated in cell with limited supply to create this letter. But perhaps, such a setting made his work seem all the more impressive due to the fact that his words were able to reach out and affect so many out there outside the unforgiving bars confining him. Martin Luther king uses several strategies to argue that all me should be treated equal.
In his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Martin Luther King Jr. uses rhetoric to provide firsthand accounts of the suffering blacks have endured. He gives evidence to why he is right for breaking laws while leading civil disobedience movements. He creates his image among his audience as a figure they feel compassion towards. His letter successfully persuades the King establishes an emotional attachment between him and the reader, beginning with his belief that all Americans are connected to one another. What happens to one American happens to all Americans; we are bound to each other, we are united with one another, we are tied together by a “network of mutuality” (King 1).
Martin Luther King Jr. was a strong leader in the Civil Rights movement, the son and grandson of a minister, and one heck of a letter writer. As he sits in a cell of Birmingham Jail in 1963, he responds to criticism from eight white clergymen. Though this letter was intended for the judgemental and condescending men of high faith, his response touched the hearts and minds of the entire U.S. population, then, and for years to come. In his tear-jerking, mind-opening letter, King manages to completely discredit every claim made by the clergymen while keeping a polite and formal tone. Metaphors, allusions, and rhetorical questions are used in the most skillful way to support his argument and ultimately convince his audience of the credibility behind his emotional, yet factual, claims.
“Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.” (King). King calms the African Americans who are being oppressed by using the words, “this situation can and will be changed.” and “Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.” which gives them hope that there will be a new day when a change will take place.
While not the case in America at the time, King felt it must be the case for the future also. So he spoke very passionately and powerfully about this issue on 28th of August 1963 in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Martin Luther king used several persuasive techniques in his speech, such as imagery, simile, symbolism, metaphor, anaphora, irony and emphasis. The rhetorical device ‘Anaphora’
“I have a dream,” (history.com) Martin Luther King Jr. said aloud through a microphone to hundreds of thousands of people. King then goes on about segregation. How segregation isn’t fair, what he wants to see in the future, and what society has done based on the color of your skin. Whites saw colored people as people below them. During this time segregation was at its best and worst.
I have a dream speech Analysis Martin Luther king Jr once said,“ I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration of freedom in the history of our nation.” He addressed these words on August of 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial after marching through the streets of Washington. He addressed segregation injustice and racial discrimination against African Americans that took place during his era, in his “I have a dream speech.” He recognized that american was founded on freedom, democracy where each individual has a voice and matters. Only few weeks back protesters were getting arrested for fighting for equality.
Dr. King's 'I Have a Dream' speech maintains relevance today in relation to rampant police brutality and crippling racial inequality throughout the United States. His famous speech is still revered today by many black rights activists. Its continued relevance is very important to the fight against racial inequality of modern society. Specifically his words about police brutality due to it being as similarly merciless today as it was over 50 years ago. The significance of the “I have a dream” speech is shown when Dr. King says “We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality”.
