Mike Wayman January 18, 2011 Mr. Milstead W.E.B. Dubois vs. Booker T. Washington Dubois and Washington were two of the very first civil rights leaders in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They both had very different backgrounds, which led to very different views on how the blacks of America could overcome poverty and discrimination. Both of these men’s strategies were good ideas, but some ideas don’t work in context, which is the problem these leaders were facing. In the end, one plan is always going to be better when put into action, and in this case I believe that W.E.B.
Letter from Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Analysis “Justice too long delayed is justice denied.” This quote sums up the main purpose of paragraph 13 and 14 in Martin Luther King’s awe inspiring “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, in the letter MLK no longer wants to wait to negotiate with the whites because they've kept him and African Americans waiting for hundreds of years. In order to express his purpose, MLK uses pathos, repetition and creative metaphors to prove why he doesn’t want to wait for someone to give him freedom anymore. The use of pathos in paragraph 14 is illustrated by the powerful examples MLK has given. MLK appeals to his audience’s emotions by using his children as an example for why he cannot wait, “to see tears welling up in her eyes when she’s told funtown is closed to colored children.” (p.13). MLK using kids as an example in the unjustness of slavery evokes a response in the audience, that might not be found if he instead used an adult as an example.
Despite Booker T Washington’s early impact on the progression of civil rights, other leaders have also had considerable and profound effects, which have been felt in the long term, and thus can be seen to challenge his pole position in the development of African American Civil Rights in the period from 1865 to 1992. Booker T Washington indeed was a significantly important leader in the period following Reconstruction in the late 1800s and at the turn of the century, exerting both short term and long term effects on the development of African American civil rights, however his protest focus and style was very much a product of the segregated South in that period, and did not have widespread appeal, and he arguably lacked eloquent leadership and oratorical skills compared to Martin Luther King or Malcolm X. Nonetheless, Booker T Washington’s long term significance potentially outweighs that of Garvey, Du Bois and Jackson, yet in people’s minds he does not seem to have left as much of a legacy as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King. Booker T Washington was certainly an inspirational leader, with one of his particular strengths being his ability to magnetise white and government support, including the financial backing of white philanthropic entrepreneurs, like Carnegie, and a relationship with President Roosevelt, which positioned him well to go on to shape developments for black civil rights. However, not everyone appreciated Washington’s white links, with many feeling that he was wrong in prioritising strengthening the black community over working to abolish Jim Crow and southern segregation.
(www.americanhistory.about.com) Thousands of Americans from all walks of life and races put their lives on the line to take a stand against racial inequalities. This diverse and courageous group consisted of not only African and Hispanic Americans it included a cross section of religious leaders and university students. The tactics used by the movement included mostly non-violent civil protests, court proceedings and organized marches. (www. school.familyeducation.com) The civil rights movement’s impact on our society and our culture is tremendous.
When Martin Luther King gave his speech on August 28, 1963, he probably had no idea how truly significant the impact of his words would have on future generations. His first sentence set the stage for what would indeed be “The greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation." Kings uses of poetic and rhetorical devices are quite evident as you listen to his passion for freedom and equality delivered in this historic speech. Repetition is one of the devices used at various times during his speech. “Go back to” and “Let freedom ring” are some examples of frequently repeated phrases.
Danielle Daley Professor Vogel English 102 30 September 2011 Changing America Begins with One: Taking the road less traveled by is not easy; nor is making a difference, one must not let anyone or anything stand in his/her way. Douglass, King, and Obama surpassed just making a difference. These three men changed history. Douglass, King, and Obama are all decades apart, yet they all were faced with obstacles to overcome due to their race. Douglass was able to overcome slavery, King helped to end segregation, and Obama is our nations first African American President.
Martin Luther King, Jr. During the 1950s and 1960s MLK became the prime leader in the Civil Rights Movement to end racial segregation and discrimination in America. He was a leading spokesperson for nonviolent methods of achieving social change. MLK’s determination and personal charisma combined established equality among all races despite personal risk won him a world-wide following. His success and drive for civil rights made him the target of segregationists, who believed in the superiority of the white race and feared social change. Martin Luther King, Jr. was arrested over 20 times and his home was bombed.
Why did the visions of Martin Luther King Jr feature in Barack Obama’s 2008 election campaign and inauguration speech in 2009? The Role and significance Martin Luther King Jr in America’s History: Martin Luther King Jr was a leader; he gave a voice to the African American citizens who could not express their own needs and opinions. His role was to lead the civil rights movement, and speak for justice, peace and equality in the lives of every American man, woman and child. King struggled with the laws and politics of his time and worked to eradicate segregation and discrimination from the American way of life. Martin Luther King Jr’s writings, teachings and speech’s are timeless; they left people rethinking their attitudes towards African Americans and racism.
During the 1963 March on Washington, King delivered perhaps his most famous speech called “I Have a Dream.” This speech called for an end to racism and desegregation in America that was still very prevalent at the time. King discusses his dreams of freedom and equality for all blacks in a land that still was plagued with hatred and prejudice to the African American race. King closes out his speech by saying, “I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today.” These words are arguably some of the most famous from his speech because they really resonated with the people listening to him. He is envisioning a healthy future where regardless of skin color all are treated fairly and equally.
The Sixties & Civil Rights Movements “The Eyes on the Prize” seemed to me as a very complete, source-reliable compilation on the civil rights movement, which not only manages events, happened during the 60’s, but a grand overview of previous incidents since 1954 through the end of 1990. The white supremacy ruled at the expense of slavery and commercialization of the black race, having profitable outcome and blood-spattered streets. In view of the fact that colored people have been mistreated, punished and slaved, but nevertheless they resisted it in numerous ways and sought better opportunities through lawsuits, new organizations, political redress and labor organizing. Since its founding, the NAACP fought for the end of discrimination