Power of the Speech

Martin Luther King Jr. is well known Black civil rights leader in 1950s and 1960s who dedicated his life to earn equality for colored people. His passion and the idea such as nonviolent direct action to abolish inequality in the Southern states in the United States inspired many American citizens to abolish such injustice laws. One of his most knows speech is “I have a dream” speech, which is delivered on the steps of Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. in 1963. Why this speech became so popular and claimed as a one of the most powerful speeches in American History? Today, I will analyze the greatness of his “I have a dream” speech by critical thinking skill I have acquired in the English class.

One of the most important factors which made this speech great was the location and the time period. 196os was one of the most active decades which Black Civil Rights movement took place. Elijah Mohammad’s Nation of Islam, Black Panthers, and Freedom riders, many types of organization were active to fight against inequality in the South. Especially, Martin Luther King Jr. guided non violent direct action despite of violent southern governor’s treatment against such protestors. If speech was made a decade earlier, I believe it would not have that strong impact as it did in 1960s, because terrible actions of southern police toward nonviolent African Americans were not known widely. Thus, the time speech was made was a crucial factor which made the speech so powerful.

The location of the speech where took place was another important factor. Lincoln Memorial, which represents spirit of President Lincoln, was significant as well; Lincoln was the leader of Abolitionists who guided to terminate harsh slavery. Therefore Lincoln can be seen as a symbol of freedom for African Americans. Therefore, giving speech where resides freedom spirit of Lincoln was very important; the President of the United States represents the nation as well as American spirit; It seemed Martin Luther King Jr. inherited Great Spirit of Lincoln and represented the idea to whole America from its capital. If it was made in any other location, it would not have same impact as Lincoln Memorial; because there is no place represents America’s political heart and the father of abolitionists.

Other facet which made this speech remarkable is its way of delivering message. Some of the words and phrases are highly repeated. For example, word justice and injustice are both repeated more than 3 times during the speech; those words trigger human nature’s conscience to fight for inequality. Also repeating the phrase “I have a dream” has strong impact on American people, since many Americans are aware of American dream; I believe there is a message of that, African Americans are also like other Americans, who should be able to dream and have right to dream come true. I am sure that many listeners were touched and became emotional to hear the phrase.
Addressing landscapes in each state as a symbol of freedom was another unique way of delivering the message. I believe Martin Luther King Jr. intended to express how sublime freedom is by making connection to the Mother Nature, may be acknowledges audience that freedom is beautiful as God’s creation.

In conclusion, unique rhetoric use of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech, combined with location and the time period, made the speech one of the most variable speeches in the history. Now, I understand why I felt this is great. We all get feeling when we read, see, or listen. We usually take it for granted, however, analyzing the reason behind the feeling lead toward some interesting discoveries of myself. This discovery can be used to improve my life as a useful tool. Therefore, I would like to continue the journey of critical thinking through this blog.