DATE: May 5, 2009
TO: Mrs. Jonasz, Teacher
FROM: David White, Student
SUBJECT: Speech Summary Memo
To allow a better understanding of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's famous "I Have A Dream Speech" I will further explain the purpose and intent of this address to the nation that 28th day of August 1963.
On that day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a massive element to the Washinton Mall passing the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial. King stated "I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation." And so it was, King spoke about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as well as freedom. But these following opinionated facts are my motivation to pursue such a speech:
a. Dr. King's effective introduction was simply marvelous, he mentioned many inspiring points that include: a statement with two meanings, "America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice." And a statement that somewhat resembles an idiom it follows: "Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood". These are very powerful statements just reading them can bring a sense of understanding.
b. The statement "Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual” I assume refers to evidence of effective overall organization. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges." To me this means, the African-American race will not cease its actions until there is equality amongst all human beings alike, yet another powerful statement.
c. Dr. King also used the word "we" on numerous occasions which registers in my mind, a verbal signpost to create coherence or likeness. The use of the word we makes others feel as though they are alike in some ways and he's not just another guy trying to win my vote for compensation.
d. In this speech Dr. King also emphasizes the main points, freedom and liberty. That was his sole purpose for delivering this speech at such a time as this. Not considering the fact that this speech was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize the following year, 1965.
e. Dr King's focus on his audiences benefits were that of repetitiously using the term "negro" which delivered a sense of belonging to a certain category. I whenever using this terminology whatever was said I would know it was directed to me whether good or bad. This alone was not beneficial, The I Have A Dream portion of the speech considerably focused on the audience, no regards to skin color. f. The ever so warming tone Dr. King presented made me feel as though the speech was specifically directed to me. I assume many other people feel this way also. Mrs. Jonasz, I hope this summary reaches you well. Please e-mail me upon reading, so that I may be able to answer any questions that you may happen to have.
David White, Student
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