Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr.~"I Have a Dream" DBQ

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader of the civil rights movement in the United States. He was also a pastor who encouraged protesting against segregation and racial discrimination with African Americans. On August 28, 1963, he presented the "I have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.. Throughout his speech he constantly reminds his people that it is time to stand up for what they deserve, their freedom. He reminds people what the Emancipation Proclamation promised yet failed to be accomplished and compares that the United States gave them a bad check. He also states that they wont be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream." This is the boost of motivation that African Americans needed in order to stand up for their freedom. After his speech people followed his advice and even though it might have gone at a slow pace, things started to change slowly. He constantly reminded people that the time for change was now. If Dr. King had not motivated people the way he did and fight for what was right, it is possible that things would be different now.



Dr. King used various Rhetorical appeals through out his speech. He constantly stated statement from history and including things from the Declaration of Independence, the constitution, and the Emancipation Proclamation. Also as a pastor he stated various religious appeals, like in his speech he said, " I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, 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."Due to the bravery and dedication of Dr. King many things changed for the future of the United States of America.



-Leslie Licea

8/31/2010

Mr. Parra

1st