repetition, repitition, repetition.

Racial tensions were mounting in America in the early 60’s with increasing racial prejudices and hate. Whites and blacks where having a hard time coexisting with each other. Both sides formed extremist groups like the KKK and the Black Panthers and they continually fought against each other. Through all this, people such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for peace and believed that the two races would someday put away their differences and become brothers instead of being forever enemies. On August 28, 1963 Dr. King delivered one delivered a speech that would be the defining moment of the American Civil Rights movement. In his speech, Dr. King is trying to persuade black and white people to stop the hate and to treat each other equally by using repetition.

Martin Luther King Jr. used the phrase “let freedom ring” many times in his speech in the end to engrave his point. His purpose in using this phrase was to give hope that one day all would be free from injustice. “Let freedom ring” has very strong connotations of hope and patriotism. In using this phrase he was also able to establish his kairos. Many people know this song and it shows that both black and white people are in common in that they love America and that everyone should be free in the country that they love.

Martin Luther’s speech was one of the most influential speeches in history. It was as effective as it was because of Dr. King’s use of ethos and pathos, but most of all repetition. By saying certain phrases in his speech many times he was able to get across a sense of urgency and to carve into our minds that something must be done now so that all men and women can be free.