I Have a Dream Critique

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Zoe McClure “I Have a Dream” speech critique Public Speaking 108-66 Instructor Gil Stern I have a dream, by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, became an inspiration and incentive of hope for all African Americans. Much of the greatness of this speech is tied to its historical context. In his speech, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963, Dr. King expresses his frustration that after a hundred years since the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, African Americans are still treated as inferior citizens. However, he also expresses his hope that this will change and African Americans will be "free at last." He makes use of rhetorical devices to convey his message that "all men are created equal" and that racism should not, cannot, continue if the nation is to prosper. Dr. King uses eloquent declarations and testimonials to appeal to his audience's emotions and express the trials and tribulations endured by African Americans. The speech ‘I Have a Dream’ is one of the most memorable speeches of all times. The primary message of this momentous and profound, emotional speech was that all people were born equal and that liberation needed to be done wisely, peacefully, and urgently. King emphasized that the only way to achieve this was through improved civil rights and equality. He also stated that the existing laws and social conditioning were to blame for the discrimination. The location and timing of the speech had a tremendous affect in King’s favor…in an era when racial discrimination and public bigotry towards African Americans in the United States was intensifying; using the Lincoln Memorial as the location was pivotal because Lincoln was the President at the time of the Civil War and had played a leading role in the freeing of slaves; and Washington, DC because it’s the residence of the President and the Congress, which was a direct way of
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