The political speech of Martin Luther King Jr., "I Have a Dream," is a powerful and eloquent address that addresses the reality of racial injustice in the United States. The speech is a critical discourse in that it outlines King's views of what he sees as the injustice of racism, and he calls on people to take action against it. It demonstrates the power to abuse or dominate because he speaks from a position of authority, calling out those who he believes are abusing power by perpetuating racism. He also uses his position as an elder statesman to help others understand that racism has consequences for all Americans, regardless of race or class status. King's speech also demonstrates discursive conditions because he uses language that is not only symbolic but also poetic in nature; this serves to add depth to his …show more content…
Militancy and physical violence must be avoided. Because many white Americans who are poor and marginalized felt a kinship with the Civil Rights Movement, King believes that all Americans should join together in the cause. Police brutality against black Americans, as well as racial discrimination in hotels and restaurants, must be eliminated. States that make it illegal for black Americans to vote must change their laws. The dream of King is then expanded into "our hope", a collective aspiration and endeavour. The patriotic American song "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," which describes America as a "sweet land of liberty," is then quoted by King. He, then employs anaphora once more, repeating the phrase "let freedom ring" several times in succession to suggest how ecstatic America will be on the day such liberties are secured. And when this happens, Americans will be able to join together and be closer to the day when they can sing a traditional African-American hymn: 'Free at last. Free at last. Thank God Almighty, we are finally