Throughout history, how an audience reacts to a leader’s message can shape the future in an entirely new form. The speech “I Have A Dream” given in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963 by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. became arguably one of the most well known speeches in American history. As a minister and seasoned orator of sermons, giving a passionately driven speech was not an uncommon occurrence for Dr. King. This influential speech was delivered during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, and resided in front of the national memorial dedicated to Lincoln, a symbolic leading figure for steps towards equality in America. A substantial component that aided the success of Dr. King’s speech was his use of rhetorical devices and strategies.
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There is understandable irritance at the tedious process that is acquisition of freedom and equality for black Americans. Yet through that, Dr. King pleads “Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.” With progress comes setbacks, and knowing this, King tries to prevent counterproductive actions such as violent outbursts or deeply ingrained hatred towards white people. To have the efforts of the movement be successful, they must band together as one, and steer away from the tempting, but wrongful actions done out of disgust and bitter emotions. The civil rights movement must be the bigger person in this case, and rise above the ones who have hated them for so long, by not stooping to their level even if given the chance to do so. King continues on to further explain “ We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline” (King 8). Using their own personal interpretation of what a high plane could be, an array of audience members can associate and agree with what King is trying to persuade here, that as the oppressed for so many years, they must not become what they have fought against. And whether those listening interpret this religiously, spiritually, or just morally, taking the high ground and choosing dignity over petty behavior is what Martin Luther King Jr. is attempting to teach within the
There is understandable irritance at the tedious process that is acquisition of freedom and equality for black Americans. Yet through that, Dr. King pleads “Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.” With progress comes setbacks, and knowing this, King tries to prevent counterproductive actions such as violent outbursts or deeply ingrained hatred towards white people. To have the efforts of the movement be successful, they must band together as one, and steer away from the tempting, but wrongful actions done out of disgust and bitter emotions. The civil rights movement must be the bigger person in this case, and rise above the ones who have hated them for so long, by not stooping to their level even if given the chance to do so. King continues on to further explain “ We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline” (King 8). Using their own personal interpretation of what a high plane could be, an array of audience members can associate and agree with what King is trying to persuade here, that as the oppressed for so many years, they must not become what they have fought against. And whether those listening interpret this religiously, spiritually, or just morally, taking the high ground and choosing dignity over petty behavior is what Martin Luther King Jr. is attempting to teach within the