Please provide some feedback on your thoughts about MLK's speech, which we saw in class but did not have time to discuss.
Please consider
a) why this speech has become so famous
b) what you noticed about this delivery that was expected or unexpected?
c) what you noticed about the content of his speech (expected or unexpected)?
Context:
King delivered this speech in the middle of the Civil Rights movement on August 28, 1963. This speech was delivered as part of the famous March on Washington, in front of more than 200,000 people who had come to DC from all over the country in the hopes of using non-violent protest as a way to secure civil rights.
Check out how they have outlined the speech here
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1. I think this speech has become famous for many reasons, some of which include the topic, which was extremely moving, important, and historic. I also think that MLK exemplifies what it means to be a credible source, displaying trustworthiness, competence, and confidence. You can tell he is comfortable with what he says, but more so, he is passionate about it. He has grown up with racism and it is clearly a topic he holds dear to him that has impacted his life. He is deeply invested and relates to his audience well. I believe this speech goes down as one of the best speeches in history because you could feel the passion dripping off of every word. When someone seems extremely authentic about the topic they are presenting on, it's hard not to get swept up in what they are saying and equally as excited.
ReplyDeleteWhat I noticed about this speech when I was watching it in class was MLK seemed to sing his words. It felt very much like it would be during an African-American church service, full of priase, crying, and where words are more than just words. Instead, it sounded like his words were so powerful that they could not just be spoken but had to be sung. I also noticed the expressions on the audience's faces and how much they admired MLK and agreed with what he said. I was surprised by how many white people were in the audience which just proves how influential MLK and his message were despite anyone having any prejudices.
What I noticed about the content of his speech was his repetition, exemplified in his "I have a dream" and then naming the specific locations so everyone could relate to what he was saying. I thought his speech was effective because he not only stated the problem, where the problem was occuring, but he gave reasons to change the situation, solutions how to, and what his hopes for the future were if the effects took place.
Martin Luther King Jr. is able to deliver a speech very well which I would say is expected for a minister and Civil Rights Movement leader. He was composed and spoke at a pace that everyone could understand. He paused at dramatic times, and seemed to read and respond to the audience the way Reverend Burklo suggested to us. It was an unexpected surprise when he increasingly grew louder and more involved in his speech at the passionate parts. He also uses stylistic devices in his language that make it really memorable. For example, he repeats the structure “now is the time” and “I have a dream.”
ReplyDeleteThe content of his speech is expected given the topic of civil rights. He relates to the audience and lists specific states he knows they came from in order to appeal to the audience. It is important to note that he uses the term “we” and wants everyone, to share in civil rights.
I believe the speech became famous not only because of the content and the fact that he described the event as the “greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation,” but also because of his delivery. It is a great example of why both content and delivery are important.
I believe this speech has become so famous because it was one of the first sophisticated public attempt at bringing the issue of inequality directy to the higher powers in Washington D.C. Until then there had been several attempts to fight against it, but most of them involved violence and proved ineffective. This speech is probaby one of the greatest examples of the power of speech to ever exist. Through his inspirational words alone he was able to bring across the message of the entire black community at the time and allow both blacks and whites to be inspired to act on the issue.
ReplyDeleteHis delivery was very much that of a black preacher, with occasional sing song and extreme inflection. This is a positive thing, however, as it causes goosebumps and goes right to the heart of those listening. He spoke very intelligently but did not ostrasize any specific group of people through the means by which he spoke.
The content of his speech was not that which would cause blacks to go out and act violently to gain their way, but that which involved the cooperation of both blacks and whites to work together for a more just future where all are treated equal. While he spoke of the turmoils that the blacks had endured, he never pointed any fingers to those who had cause such troubles. His words contained motivation to act above the status quo to attain justice.
I think this speech has become so famous because of the content of it, and the circumstances. It is known by most or even all Americans. It has become part of our culture, because it defined our nation. It changed the way our society ran. It clearly was a huge part of the civil rights movement, and got people to think in a different way than before. Also, like Jori said, he is a very credible speaker. People trusted what he had to say because of the person he was. Especially for the members of minorities, they had all of their faith in him.
ReplyDeleteThis was the first time I’ve ever actually watched this speech. I’ve listened to it before, but never seen him. I was surprised to see that he moved around more than I thought. I don’t know why, but I expected him to seem extremely confident, and watching it, to me seemed like he was fidgeting.
In regards to the content of his speech, it was exactly what I expected. I feel as if I have heard those words so many times I could recite them. He used listener relevance very well by making us care about the subject matter.
I would like to preface this entry by saying that this is one of my favorite speeches of all time. It brings me to tears every time MLK says the line, "that they should not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." To me, the fact that I even exist is a testament to the progress that we have made as a nation. My grandmother and my father attended this speech, (my dad was only three at the time) and I often imagine what it would have been like to be there, my grandmother says it was incredible.
ReplyDeleteWhen I listen to MLK, I am reminded of all my blessings and am more appreciative of the sacrifices others before me have made in order for me to be in the position that I am, to not only attend the University of Southern California, but to be a face of it as well. I realize how good God is and I realize the talent and voice that he gave to Martin--to captivate and inspire others to noble action. It's just a beautiful thing, and I left class in a wonderful mood.
To answer the questions for this blog post:
Why is this speech famous?
I believe it is because of the content and the context of civil disobedience. Martin Luther King lead the movement for peaceable protest, demanding that change was necessary but also urging his followers to "not be guilty of wrongful deeds by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred" - (i.e. Malcolm X). It is also famous posthumously because it was not long after this speech was given that MLK lost his life for the cause, and therefore, his "dream", that he so clearly delineated in this speech, was kept alive, and is still alive, through his recorded words and passion.
What about his delivery was expected/unexpected?
I think the way he elongates his words for emphasis is very unique and identifiable--fairly uncommon--but very powerful. He speaks in a rhythm, fairly slowly--in a way that allows you, the audience member, to hang on every word. He increases in volume when the point he's making calls for it and allows deliberate pauses for audience agreement. As far as unexpected, nothing was, I've heard this speech countless times, but those are some specifics I noticed about his delivery.
What about the content was expected/unexpected?
I think the references he makes to government documents are plentiful, and I don't think I realized how numerous they were until I began listening for them as enhancers of his credibility (ethos). His use of metaphor is brilliant and he extends them for several lines. His flowery and ornamental language is well crafted. He also makes use of parallel structure and repetition as others mentioned creating solidification of his points and emphasis.
I think this speech gained such notoriety as a result of a lot of different factors converging in one place. First of all MLK had built his etho's to an incredible degree by this point. second of all the mood of the audience was so passionate as the movement and country really began to pick up and move. The march on washington was an extremely important event even aside from this speech.
ReplyDeleteWhat i found surprising about this speech was how preachy and church like it seemed. Almost as if he was preaching the very concept of freedom-which in many ways he was. He was passionate yet steadfast. He made it clear that he was a man with a message that he intended to verbalize. I felt as though i could really feel his anger.
What surprised me about the content was the religious imagery that i was not aware of. this displeased me a bit because as a general rule i like to keep religion out of politics. I also didn't realize how long it was! Wouldn't "i have a dream" be a great attention catcher?
Shea- what you said was really cool
ReplyDeleteYou all are adding such interesting comments here about this speech and making me think about it from so many different angles that I had not really considered. From my perspective, I had just assumed, really, that this was just a canonical speech that I really needed to respect - and it had all of these amazing rhetorical moments. But the things you guys are spotting and commenting on are making me rethink my assumptions and understanding of the speech. Keep them coming and thank you. I'm also really glad that you guys thought that this was an important speech that you thought worthy of serious reflection. I think it's one of the best examples of rhetoric in modern American history -- both because of the gravity of the situation from where he was speaking but also because of the amazing language.
ReplyDeleteShea - that's a really fascinating personal connection to your speech. I am curious how this speech got talked about in your family, if it did.
a) why this speech has become so famous
ReplyDeleteThe speech is famous for two reasons: perceptual contrast against the aggressive peace campaigns of the time, and MLK’s delivery. Against the backdrop of strife, MLK’s call for peace that was answered in great attendance at the Lincoln monument demonstrated not only the feasibility of his plan to work towards equality peacefully—it was supported heavily by the community—but also showed the composure and dignity of the community. MLK’s dramatized delivery also makes this one of the most effective speeches in history.
b) what you noticed about this delivery that was expected or unexpected?
There was a lot more parallelism than I thought. Looking at the outlined speech, I think I would have shied away from writing down so much parallel syntax because it would have seemed repetitive. However, when MLK was giving his speech, it did not seem gratuitous and was effective in building the momentum of the speech.
c) what you noticed about the content of his speech (expected or unexpected)?
MLK interspersed religion heavily throughout this speech. I would have expected him to abstain from that because he could potentially have distanced some of his supporters who were not as religious, or even hardcore atheist. Similarly, I think it was intelligent of him to evoke history to justify his claims for equality.
First off, I have to express how floored I am by the thoughtfulness of everyone's responses! Everyone has contributed some extremely powerful analysis… On to the task at hand…
ReplyDeleteWhy has this speech become so famous?
As many of you have mentioned, MLK took an innovative approach in his quest for civil rights - insisting that He and his followers adhere to a peaceful code of conduct and take the higher road than that which was being used against them (police brutality/racist policy). During this very violent period of time, MLK did not issue a battle call. Instead, he urged his supporters to react with courage and dignity. That they should have faith in the principles that this country was founded on, that all men are created equal and should therefore have access to the same freedoms. His delivery is quite striking - he really capitalizes off of the vocal aspects of duration (drawn out words) and volume.
What was expected/unexpected in his delivery?
He spoke with great fervor, as evidenced by his volume, which is to be expected considering the passionate nature of this speech. The unexpected part was how the long duration of each word persisted throughout the entire speech, as opposed to various segments. For some reason, I also found myself very perplexed by his accent, which I could not place, although I know he was from the south.
What was expected/unexpected about the content?
The content of his speech was what I expected considering the purpose of the march. Although I hadn't realized, how explicitly MLK emphasized the notion of peaceful protesting. I found this to be incredibly powerful/moving. To have endured so much injustice and hatred, and insist that his persecutors receive a humane level of treatment is absolutely astounding. That's when it really strikes me: that this man was delivered into this world to accomplish monumental things. I also did not expect the incorporation of religion; however, I felt like this was an essential component to his speech. The inclusion of his faith in this address, really invites the audience into who MLK is as a person. He is, after all, a reverend. He establishes the reason for his hope that all men and women should be treated as equals, Isaiah 40: 4-5, “Every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together." His faith serves as a driving force behind his quest to see all men and women granted their freedom.
Finally, I could not get over how amazing his use of figurative language. Shea, I love that you included the quote, “not be guilty of wrongful deeds by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred”, because that really stood out to me as well! One of the other figurative uses of language that really stuck with me was, “This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism.” Gradual changes would no longer suffice in securing equal freedoms for all men; swift action was essential to the implementation of change.
I believe that this speech has been marked as one of the most noteworthy speeches in American history because of its context and underlying passion. I don't think I have ever listened to a speech with such profound emotion in my entire life. Not only does the emotion make this so powerful, but Martin Luther King's ingenious metaphors and beautiful language paints a picture to his message. He spoke of the most controversial topic of that time and gracefully remained neutral between sides, proclaiming a "nation-wide dream", a dream for all. The mass amounts of people- from all different colors and races- added to the emotional effect, creating a true united nation under one message.
ReplyDeleteAs far as delivery goes, I felt that his repetition of certain phrases, “I have a dream”, etc were the most powerful. His repetition and elongated phrases truly captivates the listener—I felt as if my eyes were glued to reading his lips, waiting for the next line to come. His pauses were nearly perfect. They created an effect that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. He also had his own rhythm that he created through different volumes and pitches emphasizing different points as well as the speed of his phrases varied, giving off a natural vibe. Like Adam, I was very surprised to see the “preachy-side” of the speech, followed by the “Amen’s” in the crowd. It reminded me of the great importance that no matter what color or race we are, we are united under one God.
As for content, I felt that his organization of ideas was great. He started out broad, including every single American that might have been in that audience and then grew narrower in on his actual message. I loved how he transitioned from talking of “little girls and little boys” to our ancestors. His messages were unifying- which made his speech so famous and noteworthy.
I think part of the reason why this speech is so fantastic is because it had a purpose. Obviously civil rights was a current issue, but it was especially important to Dr. King. The civil right's movement was pretty much his life and this was his moment to show it to the world. Another reason is because it was all about audience relevance. He covered every race and religion and unified everyone under one category: Being an American. He constantly refers to universal parts of American culture that he can unify everyone under. (like topography and song lyrics)
ReplyDeleteNo matter your race and religion as an American songs like "my country tis of the" and "this land is your land" and parts of the declaration of independence that everyone can relate to. He even referred to past presidents like Abraham Lincoln ( because he knew everyone respects a past US president) Of course his delivery was almost flawless, His strong voice commanded your attention and his range changed on specific words like "I have a dream" making them memorable. Also he used pauses at times to excited the crowd or let his words leave more of a impact. All of these are reasons why this is one of the most famous and well delivered speeches in history.
I would argue that this speech has become so famous, possibly the most widely recognized example of public speaking in American history, because of MLK's powerful delivery in tandem with the momentum behind the civil rights movement. MLD was a remarkable public speaker in that his voice is powerful, composed, and structured. His speech was tied together with repeated phrases and the fluctuation in pitch, volume, and rhythm added another level of animation to the speech that is not attainable by all public speakers, but, in my opinion, what made the speech so famous the emotion surrounding the message. MLK was so passionate about civil rights that each word was infused with that passion, and on the other side, the audience was just as passionate. The two sides fed off of each other to result in an incredibly powerful example of the force of the spoken word.
ReplyDeleteI have studied this speech in school before, so nothing was that unexpected; however, one thing that I stood more now, after having studied more thoroughly the intent behind public speaking, is the variations in pitch, volume, and rhythm as I mentioned above. MLK was able to affect the crowd using these three techniques. I had never noticed how intense that was.
Sorry this is so late!
ReplyDeletea) I feel like Martin Luther King's “I Have a Dream Speech” has become so famous because of the subject matter that it addresses, as well as the setting in which it occurred. The occasion itself was momentous because of the amount of attention it received and the immense crowd that gathered to hear him speak. To see that many people gathered in support of MLKs cause made his words that much more powerful.
Also, King was not only speaking up for all those who were fighting for their civil rights, he was speaking from personal experience and hardship. By speaking to a crowd with the authority and passion that he had for what he was trying to convey, he made that much more of an impact with his words.
b) I had never before seen Martin Luther King's Speech, so it was interesting to finally watch the entire thing through an analytical eye. His delivery was very pronounced; I felt that they way he delivered his speech made every word he was saying extremely important. King used a lot of dramatic pauses and changes in the volume and tone of his voice to emphasize certain word and lines of his speech. I think that by watching King's speech you can really see how much of a difference changes in delivery can impact a speech.
c) I think using the whole “I have a dream...” definitely ties the whole speech together. Using any sort of alliteration or repeating structure in a speech automatically unifies the work and gives the audience a way to remember the speech. Also, King was very careful in his word choice; he was cautious not to directly call out any one or group of people. Instead, he recognized the need for change, and praised those who were in support of his cause.
why this speech has become so famous
ReplyDeleteb) what you noticed about this delivery that was expected or unexpected?
c) what you noticed about the content of his speech (expected or unexpected)?
a. This speech has become so famous because of what the speech represented and who it was given by. Martin Luther King was a widely respected and his passion and delivery of the speech made it that much more influential. His speech stands for the obstacles, deaths, prejudice, racism, battery, and mistreatment that people at that time had to deal with. His speech gave hope and optimism while addressing the biggest problem of the country at that time in a neutral manner.
b. What I noticed about this speech that wasn't expected was how racially diverse the people in the audience was. This was the first time I had seen MLK's speech and seeing the diversity in the crowd among the men, women, and children, let me know how respected he was as an American and how critical it was for him to address the issues over racism in America. As far as his delivery, I thought it was perfect, although there were times where his voice was a little shaky. But his use of elongation of his words and the rhythm throughout his speech really made his speech even more effective. Each statement was filled with passion and emotion which made you realize how important this speech really was.
c. I thought that the content of his speech was perfect because he called out different states and areas where unfair treatment occurred, but kept it neutral because he didn't call out a specific group of people. This allowed him to reach out to all races without upsetting any specific one. I liked how what he was saying was brutally honest because a lot of public speakers weren't brave enough to address or addressed them in the wrong manner.
A.) This speech is so iconic because it serves as a reference point when measuring the progress of our nation. So many times I've heard public figures address current race relations in America by assessing how completely our society has lived up to the “dreams” Dr. King touches on in this speech. Are people still judged by their color, does freedom now ring across the plains of Alabama? By all accounts the “I have a dream speech” is a historical benchmark, an indication of what our country was, how far it has come, and how much higher it still needs to climb. Dr. King’s words attest to the power of the American dream, have a timeless quality that help them resonate with all generations, and are so moving that they force the listener to honestly assess how well he/she lives up to their call for brotherhood. Combine these factors with Dr. King’s rousing delivery and you have a speech that will live on forever.
ReplyDeleteB.) If you close your eyes and listen to this speech you envision Dr. King as a master technician…a leader well versed in captivating, motivating, and compelling his audience to act. No doubt his message is intimate, yet without picture I might assume that Dr. King is somewhat immune to its power…he has been preaching civil rights for years now and perhaps, to him, this day is more about garnering publicity and pressuring the federal government. Yet when you watch the tape it is evident that this is no average day at the office. Dr. King seems as spellbound as the rest of his audience…it’s like he is merely a vessel to relay these divine words. When you realize this as a listener, the speech immediately takes on more weight. It’s evident that this is not solely some calculated political move, but rather, in its tireless defiance of injustice, a triumph of the human spirit.
C.) What can you say about Dr. King’s content…it’s simply one of the most defining pieces of rhetoric in American history. It’s appropriate, vital, poignant, and he delivers it artfully. When you think of speeches you think of this one and the Gettysburg Address. There’s not a wasted line, and for me to critique it would be irresponsible.
The Martin Luther King Jr. I have a dream speech has become a icon for civil rights and is it no surprise that it has become so famous. It is probably one of the most motivating and inspirational speeches out there. Over 200,000 people were present at the speech and many more watched later. His tone and power in his voice really reflected his passion to seek out civil rights. The respect that Martin Luther King must have had for delivering this speech must have been immense. MLK's delivery reminds me of a sermon. He is preaching to the people who had come to seek civil justice. I expect this from him because he is a reverend and his presence in his speech is greatly felt. Im MLK's speech, his content ranged from quotes from other people as well as his own visions. He used a lot of analogies and images to paint a picture of his dream.
ReplyDelete-steven zhu
a) why this speech has become so famous
ReplyDeleteI think this speech is so famous for many reasons, but especially because MLK Jr. is such an amazing and articulate public speaker. Every word he picks is so heartfelt and effective. The situation of the speech was also very unique, and I think he and the audience bounced well off one another. The points he makes are so relatable and logical, he almost makes it impossible to disagree with him; he's certainly very persuasive.
b) what you noticed about this delivery that was expected or unexpected?
I'm somewhat ashamed to admit this, but I don't think I've ever seen this speech in its entirety until this year, which is extremely surprising to me. I was also surprised to hear how many people were actually there. In terms of delivery, I was surprised at how he manages to retain audience attention for so long. Clearly its an important matter, but any subject can get boring after a point, but he does a really good job of keeping energy up.
c) what you noticed about the content of his speech (expected or unexpected)?
When I was listening to him speak, I thought it was astounding how relatable his words are. He speaks with so much passion, but more than that, his words are so poetic and applicable to society in a way that is beyond a time or place. For example, when I was listening to him, I was thinking about his words in modern context and applying civil rights not just to African-Americans, but to all cultures and demographics of America, namely LGBT Americans. I was thinking within the context of all the LGBT bullying in the news and thinking about how many of his words could be reiterated when speaking of gay rights. It's amazing how timeless his message is and how effective this speech was at its time.
-Skye