Reyes, Delilah

Instr. Gross

English 103

February 25, 2011

The Power of Speech- I Have A Dream

            Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech is well know and has been a symbolism of freedom for many years.  The power of language against injustice captivated many people to take action and regain their natural rights.  His speech is hopeful, inspiring, assertive, and very repetitive, which allowed him to use his language in a very powerful way.  “I Have a Dream” was delivered in the Lincoln Memorial which was dedicated after President Abraham Lincoln.  President Lincoln was most memorable for the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation which abolished slavery in all the southern states.  The Lincoln memorial was created to commemorate his achievements and stands in Washington D.C. as a symbol of freedom.  Dr. King’s speech was delivered in a very appropriate place, as the monument stands tall with symbolism of the hard work and dedication president Lincoln did.  The strong message perhaps would not have been as memorable or impact if it would have been delivered in New York City, a free state, or in California’s vast plains.  The speech had to be delivered in the most memorable and significant place, The Lincoln Memorial.  Dr. King’s speech makes his audience relate emotionally.  He reminds the audience that although they are “free,” how free were they when they were being persecuted segregated and treated under very shameful conditions?  He stresses the fact that the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, written by our forefathers, gave them the right of being free men.  It also guaranteed the “unalienable Rights” of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”  He uses an analogy of a check as being a promise that these rights would be guaranteed to every man and women in the country.  Since African Americans have not been given privilege to exercise those rights, they have traveled to the nation’s capital to cash their checks.  His speech highlighted the little to no change that had occurred since the Civil War and Lincoln’s Proclamation which had occurred more than one hundred years ago.  He was proposing change, the end to violence form both regular citizens and law enforcement.  The use of repetition of “I have a dream,” imbedded his view of an equal society, one which everyone, black or white, could live together and prosper.  He urged people not to be satisfied with the minor accomplishments they had reached and only to be satisfied when they had truly reached racial justice.  His memorable speech made a strong footprint in the fight for equality, an excelled the passage of the Civil Rights Act.  The Civil Rights Act prohibited discrimination in public places, integrated schools, public places and made employment discrimination illegal.  Dr. King’s efforts had made a huge impact in the fight for civil rights, but unfortunately there was huge opposition to the Civil Rights Act.  Violence against African American’s could still be seen in many parts of the South.  Dr. King’s speech will continue to inspire change against injustice and promote tolerance amongst others, regardless of race or gender.