Martin Luther King Jr Speech Summary

In Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech, “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence”, King asserts that the war in Vietnam is a “symptom” (7) of a much larger disease that affects the “American spirit” (7). The disease King mentions is causing destruction where ever it is found, and in the case of the Vietnam war, it has led to their oppression and the death of people. In the section, Strange Liberators, King states, “They move sadly and apathetically as we heard them off the land of their fathers into concentration camps where minimal social needs are rarely met. They know they must move or be destroyed by our bombs” (8). King believed that the disease was leading the United States to take drastic actions against the Vietnamese people. The U.S.

After being jailed in the Birmingham city jail, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister who preached nonviolence, wrote this response to a published statement by eight fellow clergymen from Alabama. This letter was not only composed under somewhat constricting circumstances but was written in a way that can be analyzed to be considered as a classic argument. Not only does it contain the five elements needed in a rhetorical situation, but the letter includes the six parts of an argument, the five types of claims, and even the three types of proofs. Dr. King’s letter fully satisfies all requirements needed in order to be considered a classic argument.

Martin Luther King Jr. gave arguably one of his most influential speeches on 3 April, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. This would be the last speech he would give to the American people before he was killed shortly after. The speech addresses the unfair treatment of African Americans and how they should respond to it. He talks about how he wants people to peacefully join together in full force in order to fight for equal rights. King talks about all of the successes the Civil Rights Movement has had so far and what his hopes are for future success. He explains all of the events he is thankful he had the opportunity to experience. It acts almost as a goodbye to all of his supporters and a reassurance that everything will be okay no matter what happens in the future. Throughout the speech he appears very confident that the Civil Rights Movement will have the success that he has intended. The speech was, in many ways, unique due to the fact that it seemed as though Martin Luther King Jr. knew that it would be on of his last speeches he would have the ability of making. It Throughout the speech, King uses ethos, pathos, and logos in order to effectively get his point out to his listeners.

Racism has always been a major problem in America. However, it was known to be the most problematic in the late 1950s. On August 28 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King delivered his infamous speech “I Have a Dream” to America. His dream highlighted the injustices of segregation and discrimination of African Americans that took place in this nation every single day. Dr. King inspired thousands despite the color of their skin, to take a stance against racism, with his powerful way with words. In his speech MLK efficaciously uses, Ethos, Pathos, and Logos by using allusions, developing credibility, in his speech to persuade all Americans to be aware of the problems with racism.

Martin Luther King Jr. was an African American Leader During the Civil Rights Movement. Mr.King was also a pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. He was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968 at the age of 39. He had 4 kids and a wife named Coretta Scott King. King was most important during the Civil Rights Movement. He was a very effective Civil Rights leader. He has many many speeches during his lifetime. His last words in public were I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!"

One evening in jail, a young man by the name of Martin luther king jr, received a letter outlining the the concerns of eight clergymen in reference to the demonstrations taking place of which he was a clergyman to. Martin was always aware of the criticism and retaliation of other and learn to keep order with it. But for some reason, this letter struck him, and he decided he must write a response to this letter. MLK being one of the most influential people in the world today, wrote a response letter to the right clergymen highlighting the concerns of being an outsider, having untimely and unwise demonstrations, and having extreme ideas.

In response to the clergymen’s letter stating that his action is “unwise and untimely”, Martin Luther King, Jr. step by step refutes the assumptions made by the clergymen. He makes effective use of storytelling, pre-counter and qualification of arguments, and appeals to logic, emotions and credence through morality.

Describing the devotion of Christians when they truly lived for god instead of for society, MLK demonstrates a complex interpretation of not only the past but current society. He marvels at a time when “Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed” and “the church was not merely” a vessel that “recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinions” but a catalyst that “transformed the mores of society” (King). King expresses disappointment that the church has become nothing more

MLK Jr. forcefully undermines the clergymen’s criticism by quoting unquestionably correct sources and also by using the clergymen’s own words against them. The Bible, Socrates, and Martin Luther are just a few of the sources quoted in his letter, which subvert any criticism of his actions. The Bible is the most potent of his sources because the clergymen are men of the church and cannot deny the Bible of its truths. Socrates and Martin Luther are both very wise and pious men that people believe.

In the essay, Letter From Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King Jr. considers the accusation from other clergymen that his nonviolent protests are “extreme”. In his essay he uses many rhetorical devices to respond to his critics. At first, being categorized as “an extremist” disappointed him but as he contemplated the issue, he began to gradually embrace and relish the label that was given him.

Credibility and ethics are one of the first things noted in King’s letter, and the presentation of it helps the reader to carry on reading the letter with open-mindedness and trust that King will continue to sincerely explain the reasons for the letter and the protest. Also, he establishes his credibility in the second paragraph by responding to the clergymen’s view that he was an outsider coming in. Similarly, King institutes his credibility by revealing that he is the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference which was an organization working in every southern state. Martin Luther King Jr. also appeals to ethos by even stating the clergymen’s views throughout his letter, which, of course embodies the alternative to his views. People have respect and trust for King which is proof of his reliability, as one man writes, “I believe Luther's actions truly reflect his belief that all people should be equal. His actions also show his commitment to the movement and the fact that this man was a leader” (Akerman 1).

5.Briefly explain the philosophical significance on whether or not faith and reason as mutually exclusive when it comes to the philosophy of Martin Luther King, Jr. Briefly explain in two or three complete sentences. For Dr. King, there was no way that faith and reason were exclusive. God was the master of all and as the creator he was the source of all faith and reason. For that reason, it was only when a man had complete faith that he was able to reason with a clear mind. King preached

After reading and analyzing Dr.Kings “Remaining Awake during a Revolution” commencement speech that he presented at Oberlin College during his graduation ceremony; he wanted the people to have a good visual on what he was explaining and talking about. King wanted to inform the people about what was going; so he used allusions, statics, and logos.

He believes, hate can't bring love and happiness among the people. It is valid argument that when you use violence against your enemies, you would create more violence. For example, the U.S. went to the war in Iraq, in the result of that we are facing many different violent problems, such as ISIS. Second is that hate scars the soul and distorts the personality of the hater. Hate brings long lasting damage to its victims. It creates higher level of economic, social and cultural destruction. There is not any significant example of violence, and hate in our history. Looking at every hate and war, we only lost life of people, damage properties, and broke our own heart. Third argument is that love can transform an enemy inti a friend. He says, we can get rid of an enemy by getting rid of enmity.

Martin Luther King Jr. has had many sensational speeches. The successes presented in the two excerpts can be used as examples for success towards other speeches. In speeches ethos is used to reach out to the audience like Martin Luther King Jr. does. Professor Brown defines ethos as voice of credibility. Martin Luther King Jr. during his two excerpts uses pathos. Professor Brown defines pathos as passion, and narrative. In most speeches Martin Luther King Jr. uses logic, logos to addresses the audience into understanding the meanings. Professor Brown defines logos as logic. Logic is supported by science, induction and deduction.