Robert F Kennedy's Second Inaugural Speech Analysis

In the United States, slavery and racism have been, and partially still are, two issues that have been prevalent since the creation of the country. Abraham Lincoln and Robert F. Kennedy are two people that both gave speeches regarding these topics. Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address was given on April 10th, 1865. This speech was given shortly after The Civil War, and the speech was Lincolns remarks on The Civil War. Remarks on the Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. is a speech that was delivered by Robert F. Kennedy on April 4th, 1968. This speech was given to allow the public to know that King had been shot. This speech was also given to discuss the issue of hatred among races. Martin Luther King, Jr. lead several non-violent protests

In his speech, Lincoln never spoke harshly about the south, he only spoke of how each side was wrong in the comings of the war that happened, and although he never lashed out and attacked the south, he did go on to reveal the harsh truth of how slavery played a major role in the war. In the beginning of his speech, Lincoln states, “On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago, all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil-war” (Lincoln, 1865). This quote opens the door for Lincoln to talk about how no one wanted to have war, but because of the disagreements between the North and South on federal and states’ rights. Lincoln further explains that the war was not just caused by the south wanting to destroy the union, but also by the north allowing to the war to happen and accepting that it was inevitable (Lincoln, 1865). Lincoln goes on to talk about equality among the men and women of the union. When talking about African American slaves, Lincoln adds, “These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was, somehow, the cause of the war” (Lincoln, 1865). Lincoln explains how evil the act of slavery is, and how part of the general population were slaves. Lincoln talks of how on each side of the war, each person is as equal as the next; they worship the same god, and all have the same faith

Kennedy’s “Remarks on the Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.” he delivers a somber yet inspiring speech to inspire the people of America to rise above the hate, and to love each other for who they are and not the things they have done. In the beginning of his speech, Kennedy relays the information that Martin Luther King, Jr. had been shot and killed by a white man. He can sense that this news will inspire the African American community to riot, or be very angry. To dilute the hatred, Kennedy states, “We can move in [a negative] direction as a country, in greater polarization – black people amongst blacks […] as Martin Luther King did, to understand, and to comprehend” (Kennedy 1968). Kennedy explains that he wants the people to rise above the hatred, and to shut down violence, and not add to bloodshed that’s already happening across America. He reminds people of Luther’s legacy, and how Luther “dedicated his life to love and justice between fellow human beings” (Kennedy, 1968). He goes on in his speech to again appeal to ethos by citing the assassination of his family member, “I can also feel in my own heart the same kind of feeling. I had a member of my family killed, but he was killed by a white man” (Kennedy, 1968). Kennedy reminds his audience that he too had an assassination in his family. Kennedy tells the people that he too was filled with anger, but he had to overcome his anger and rise above the hatred to forgive. Towards the end of his speech,