Jfk, Martin Luther King, and Malcolm X

In the 1950s and 1960s in America, the equality of man envisioned by the Declaration of Independence was far from a reality. Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister delivered his famous speech “I Have a Dream” August 28th, 1963 in Washington DC. He is credited with mobilizing supporters of desegregation and prompted the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Malcolm X delivered his famous speech “The Ballot or the Bullet” on April 12th, 1964 in Detroit. Though many people say Malcolm X was violent he made many good key points. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X both helped encourage African Americans, through their tough times.

Powerful movements require powerful leadership. During the 1960s a push for civil rights developed, and African Americans took various positions. Two strong leaders, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X approached the Civil Rights Movement using different methods. Their speeches reflect the disposition of their tactics. In his speech, “I Have a Dream,” Martin Luther King, Jr. focuses on applying his non-violent philosophy. On the contrary, Malcolm X projects himself in an aggressive tone reflecting the attitudes of Black Nationalists in “Ballot or the Bullet.” These speakers demonstrate their objectives and tone through their use of diction and syntax.

The speech has importance because it was given after the passing of The Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Montgomery bus boycott and after the march on Montgomery, it is said to be the speech that ended the first chapter of the Civil Rights Movement. He is installing hope into his listeners by saying that nothing will stop them, burning, bombings, killings- nothing will stop the movement. He says he knows how hard and tiresome it is but as long as

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Lyndon B. Johnson demonstrated unimaginable leadership skills in an effort to accomplish their respective agendas. Through the use of moral leadership, King would rise to become the head of the Civil Rights Movement by means of civil disobedience and nonviolent resistance. MLK began as a Baptist Minister, but after seeing the difference he could make in the world, decided to stand up for what he felt was right. Johnson, on the other hand, used political leadership in order to make a name for himself as President of the United States. LBJ was willing to do whatever it took to accomplish his goals, even if it meant going against the Southern Democrats who had elected him to political office. One of these risks

Malcom X delivered his speech on April 3, 1964. By it being the year of a presidential election, X anticipated his speech would encourage politicians to support black rights. In addition to wanting to build up the Black Nationalism by encouraging blacks to exercise their Fifteenth Amendment by voting, Malcom X argued that the African American community also needed to become more politically mature and understand what the ballot is for, and what is intended to do.

Malcom X delivered his speech on April 3, 1964. By it being the year of a presidential election, X anticipated his speech would encourage politicians to support black rights. In addition to

On August 28th, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a speech to more than 200,000 people during the March on Washington. King's speech was one of the most influential during the era of the Civil Rights Movement and is to this day recognized as a masterpiece due to its effect on the audience as well as for its eloquence and language. Many components went into this passionate speech that portrayed King's hopes for racial equality and a brighter future made the speech as moving as it was. It is doubtful that any person can guess that this speech was written without forethought regarding what goals King wished to accomplish in this speech. Martin Luther King Jr.'s eloquent language was perfectly suited to his audience, both his

On August 28th, 1963, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr stood on the steps in front of the Lincoln Memorial and delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. He spoke passionately for 17 minutes on his views about human equality for African Americans at one of the largest civil rights demonstrations in history. King played a major role in ending the segregation for African Americans. His rhetorical language left an impact on America. Through his use of appeals like ethos, logos, pathos, and other rhetorical techniques. He influenced Americans to believe in the notion that all men are created equal.

Do you know anyone who showed courage? I believe courage can be shown in many ways. One way to show courage is standing up for what you believe in, even if it is wrong. Another way to show courage is singing out loud, even if you are bad at it. More importantly, these people gave courage a new meaning. The three individuals who displayed courage were Tobymac, Martin Luther King Jr, and Rosa Parks because they all stood up for what is right two of them stood up for black rights and one stood up for his religion. Tobymac showed it by standing up for his religious beliefs; Martin Luther King Jr. by sticking up for African American rights.

Martin Luther King Jr. and George Corley Wallace are two prominent figures throughout the Civil Rights movement that took place in 1963. They individually delivered historical speeches concerning civil rights and segregation. Though, both speeches make an impact, each contains completely different messages. These two speeches will be presented in a side by side comparison using the Kairo, Ethos, Logos, and Pathos.

He was able to find a proper and fitting response to the injustices of African-Americans. He spoke on a subject many didn't care to hear about, the deep injustice of segregation. The Kennedy administration had stalled on the issue and even avoided supporting the civil rights demonstration which King spoke of ( 2000). To King, this offered an opportunity to end the delay that the Civil War's promises had made. He knew he wasn't just talking to protestors, but also the Kennedy administration, to white Americans apathetic and unaware of the injustice, and also to segregationists and racists (Rappaport, 2002). In this speech, King planted his place as first among equals in civil rights leadership. "From this first televised mass meeting, an American audience saw and heard the unedited oratory of America's finest preacher, and for the first time, a mass white audience heard the undeniable justice for black demands" (Seattle Times, 4 April 1993). King said "There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship."

Although both men used the evils of segregation as their main topic they also quoted famous Americans from the past. Martin Luther king Jr. talks in the beginning of his speech about Abraham Lincoln

1960s to achieve greater freedoms and liberties for their people. On the other hand, Langston Hughes used strong symbols in his poems to communicate the benefits of racial inclusion and it would bring more progress to the country. Jackie Robinson's letter to President Eisenhower decried the situation African Americans experienced and asserted that this was needed to change because all people in the country were equal irrespective of color. However, Martin Luther King's speech encouraged people of all walks of life to do more to overcome negative mindsets that made them hate one another (Conyers 76). On the other hand, Malcolm X's speech focused on making African Americans aware that they had a right to vote, and they should avoid being misled by opportunistic politicians.

According to the American Rhetoric, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his speech on August 28, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. After nearly fifty years, MLK’s speech remains relevant and serves as a reminder of the fight for equality in the United States. It is cited as the “number one” speech of all-time in the history of American speeches. This assumption can be attributed to many factors. The initial reason why this speech is cited as the “number one” speech of all time in America, is due to the impact MLK’s words left on the opinion of the Civil Rights Movement throughout the nation and the rest of the world.

The marvelous use of ethos in this speech really brought out the problems that the blacks were faced with. The documents, government, and granted rights, said one thing but were they really meant for all? Even after the Emancipation Proclamation, Constitution, and Declaration of Independence, “the Negro still is not free”(“ American Rhetoric: Martin Luther King I Have a Dream”). All of these documents and promises made by the government about “freedom for all” wasn’t completely true because the blacks were given the same promise. They still had to sit in the back of the bus, and use different bathrooms, and go to segregated schools. King confronted the government about these unfair “rules” they produced by “ coming to cash this check”(“ American Rhetoric: Martin Luther King I Have a Dream”), meaning they have come to receive the promises they were given. The check was to give them “the riches of freedom” and “the security of justice“(“ American Rhetoric: Martin Luther King I Have a Dream”). He backs up his ethics by describing the real life actions he faced during the racist times like, physical violence and abusive