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Comparison Of Frederick Douglass And Martin Luther King Jr

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Out of oppression rises resilient individuals whose voices cannot be silenced. Though the exact circumstances may vary, both Frederick Douglass and Martin Luther King Jr. were empowered in the face of persecution. Both came from a place of suffering and restriction, were inspired by the brutality the observed, and attacks institutions which allowed these atrocities and others to continue. Their words, powerful and thought-provoking, will serve as pieces that will not soon be forgotten. Frederick Douglass and Martin Luther King Jr. both utilized certain writing techniques to emphasize their story and increase the degree of impact to the reader. In both pieces, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and Letter from Birmingham Jail, emotionally charged elements are included to create a response from the reader. Douglass ultilizes a deeply personal and graphic style. Remembering the horrific story of his Aunt Hester, Douglass recounts, “and after rolling up his sleeves, he (slave master) commenced to lay on the heavy cow skin, and soon the warm, red blood (amid heartrending shrieks from her, and horrid oaths from him) came dripping to the floor.” In contrast, King calls upon the emotion of the recipients through his reference to the greater evil committed against society. Relating what he has seen to the larger picture, King describes, “But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim; when you have seen

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