A Powerful and Calculated Speech

Great empires have fallen and entire nations have been raised from the dust because of the power of speech. From the fortifying addresses of Lincoln to the enticing discourses of Hitler, powerful and calculated speeches have influenced every page of the society we know today. One such speech was given by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963, and is known by every American citizen as the “I Have a Dream” speech. In his speech, Martin Luther King Jr. is trying to convince the white population of America to end racial discrimination by using religious symbols, references to important pieces of history, and using economic metaphors.

The Bible has generally been accepted as a source of good in the world. For someone trying to make a revolution towards what he or she considers to be good, using allusions to the Bible is a powerful and logical technique. Martin Luther King Jr. states: “Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.” He is here comparing the current state of America to the foolish man found in Mathew 7, and is calling for a stronger foundation of brotherhood built upon a rock. Due to the majority of Americans being Christian, the technique of referring to well known scripture and the justice of God is particularly effective in this peaceful speech of Christ-like reform.

The “I Have a Dream” speech was not powerful merely because of its message, but also because of Martin Luther King Jr’s excellent use of rhetoric strategy in conveying that message. He caught the attention of religious people across the country and used their own beliefs to support his idea of racial freedom and brotherhood.