Summary Of The Mlk Speech

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Summary of MLK speech This document will summarise the famous speech delivered by Martin Luther King, which he delivered on the 28th of August 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. This speech has often been stylistically described as being a sermon, a work of poetry and a political treatise but will mainly be remember for the way in which it was emotionally delivered and the cause it served. Martin Luther King opens his speech by referring back to historical events and the human rights of the black population. He refers to the event as something which “will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom”. Martin Luther King continues by referencing the Declaration of Independence and Abraham Lincoln, stating that great historical figures had realised the need for human rights of all people to be respected, but that the “Negro still lives on the lonely island of poverty”. Martin Luther King states that he felt this historical act was, in a way, a promise to all of mankind that equality would be met but “America had defaulted on this promissory note”. Mr King continues through this part of the speech with the belief that “justice” needs to be met and that this will enable the black community the “riches of freedom”. Martin Luther King continues, asking for these promises to finally be upheld or expect consequences from the black community, stating that it would be “fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment...And there will be neither rest nor tranquillity in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights”. Mr King then makes a plea towards the black population, asking them “not to be guilty of wrongful deeds”, to be disciplined and have dignity while this process played out. He also asks for the black population not to “distrust” or blame white people for what has happened in the past and points out the
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