Literacy In Martin Luther King's Speech

Scribner describe literacy in three metaphors, yet the King’s Speech “I have Dream” exemplifies one of Scribner’s literacy metaphor which was literacy as power. Literacy as power means separate people into class, and the two classes are rich and poor. Poor were expected to be illiterate which means unable to read and write, and the rich were expected to be literate which means able to read and write. As example, the King’s Speech “I have Dream” describe blacks in poverty “poor standard”, but King believed that blacks will have opportunities to be treated equal and go above the poverty “rich standard”. Literacy created a social and economic standing, and Martin Luther King Jr. demand racial justice and give equal opportunities to African American.

Martin Luther King Jr was well literate, and with his skills and knowledge Martin Luther King Jr. became the voice for all the minorities. Martin Luther King Jr wanted racial Justice, and literacy and his action were his tools

In the speech, Martin Luther King Jr used his literacy knowledge, and crafted a speech using rhetorical techniques and figurative language such as metaphors and repetition. As example, King stating “I have dream”. The power of the statement “I have dream” increased with repetition. Also, Martin Luther King Jr. addressed diverse audience. By using the pronoun “we”, King was appealing to audience emotions and desires to be an equal. For example, “We refuse to believe that the bank of Justice is bankrupt.” As result Martin Luther King Jr. built a bridge between the “poor standard” and “rich standard”, and he address audience with logic that appeals to the African American population not give up their fight for civil equality. As literacy as power, the Martin Luther King Jr. used