martin luther king jr argumentative essay

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Example Of Martin Luther King Argumentative Essay

Type of paper: Argumentative Essay

Topic: United States , Social Issues , America , Speech , Martin Luther King , Civil Rights , Democracy , Rhetoric

Words: 1300

Published: 02/16/2020

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Rhetoric in martin Luther king Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech.

Introduction.

Martin Luther king was a clergyman, activist and a leader of the African-American civil rights in the American continent. King was a great national icon in the Americans history but however, there are few Americans today who are still not familiar with martin’s philosophical speeches like his famous speech, “I have a dream.” Which he delivered in Washington on March. At the time he gave this speech, America was in the middle of a civil rights movement that would end segregation and other injustices. King was well recognized for his use of stylistic devices to deliver and enhance his speeches which helped audience gain better understanding of his speeches. In this essay, it is discussed how not only the timelessness of king’s speech that makes it so effective: king’s use of rhetorical expertise persuasively uses comparison and contrast, repetition and metaphor; to rally the nation to his forceful but peaceful course with words that are passed from one generation to another. King’s use of comparison and contrast is by the way he introduces his subject concerning the state of civil rights in the United States. As he speaks the words “five years ago, an American in whose symbolic influence we live by today, signed the emancipation proclaims,” He aligns himself with the cause of popular president Abraham Lincoln who gave the Gettysburg address (King, W, 16). He uses word choice contrasting the level of racial inequality in the past and in what he expects in the future; reflected in his words, “I have a dream”. He uses words like exile, poverty, captivity to negatively describe African-American lives in the past. This is a reflection of the very poor living conditions and lack of freedom among the African-Americans in the past. However, he uses words such as freedom, hope, justice and faith. This shows that he hopes for a positive change in the future. He hopes that the African-Americans will once unite free from racial discrimination and oppression. Hence the use of comparison and contrasts as a rhetoric device provides a strong foundation on which king bases the rest of his speech. Repetition is also evident in king’s speech and it contributes a great deal to the effectiveness of the particular idea he wants to bring across by emphasizing it. He for example repeats the statement “one hundred years later” to emphasize that the African-American lives have experienced no change even a hundred years after signing of the emancipation to give freedom to the slaves, by Lincoln. By this he wanted to put across the point that even after a hundred years of hope for a positive change, the Negro has not yet attained his freedom and lives in the midst of poverty. He repeats the words “now is the time” aimed at showing the urgency of the change in racial inequality in the country. By this he meant it’s time for all people to receive equal opportunities and treatment and advocated for an immediate change. By repeating the words “I have a dream,” he does not only stress on the negative situations, but also hopes for a better future with poverty eradication and freedom. King’s speech is also filled with metaphor, which provides the audience with vivid and emotionally forcefully images to help them understand the severity and serious nature of the civil rights situation he describes. For example, when king speaks of “the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination,” he is not speaking about literal manacles or actual chains. However, manacle chains are instruments of imprisonment and even if the audience does not already agree with king’s cause, most can make the association that slavery was eventually a prison. An exceptionably powerful metaphor that king uses is by likening the current situation of civil rights to one of economics, a much less contentious subject. King says “we’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check,” from which it is expected the currency of “unalienable rights” of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” can be received. However, king states that America has declined to accept this check from people of color. It becomes something that every American can relate to, not just people who are oppressed or are of a particular race. He talks of “signing the promissory note”. According to this, he refers to a promise given to all American citizens as stated by the constitution. King also talks of “bad check” referring to an unfulfilled promise to the Americans. This promise is yet to be fulfilled to the African Americans. He uses the metaphor “desert state”. By this, he refers to the state of Mississippi to show that it is the most affected by racial discrimination. However, he also refers to Mississippi as “the oasis of freedom and justice” meaning that there is hope in the future of end of racial injustice in this state. He uses others like “table of brotherhood” referring to the ultimate unity between the African-American and the Native Americans in the near future. “Crooked places will be made straight”. By this he meant that eventually, there will be equality in the whole of the American region. King’s speech and its emotional appeals are meant to encourage both black and white Americans to rally to the support for the civil rights movement. He does not want to instill an “us against them” mentality but instead, wants to develop unity and brotherhood in his audience. He says that “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they are not judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” This implicated that he truly felt it in his heart about the ongoing racial inequality and hoped for a better treatment for the future generation. “One day right there in Alabama little black boys and little black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and little white girls as sisters and brothers” (Martin, L.). Here, he hoped that a time will come when there will be unity in America so that the rising generation could not experience the segregation and racial discrimination. According to scholar (Keith, D.), king utilizes proverbs in his speech delivery to enhance understanding to the audience. Kings recognition that all people are valuable for equal civil rights and his use of inclusive language and ideas allows his audience to feel that they are important and have not been alienated from his cause.

Conclusion.

King’s use of rhetoric language devices; comparison and contrast, repetition and metaphors altogether make king’s “I have a dream” speech one of the most memorable speeches of the 20th century. These rhetorical tools along with his powerful message make the peaceful civil rights of martin Luther king Jr, one that is familiar to almost every American since 1963 when he first spoke those words. The speech has actually fulfilled its objective and has brought positive influence among the Americans leading to a decrease in the level of racism; for example the election of an African-American president is a proof of racial equality in the country. King’s rhetoric is highly successful, a terrific example for any aspiring public speaker and will not soon be forgotten.

Works cited.

King Jr, Martin Luther. “Full Text of Martin Luther King Jr.’s I have a dream.’ speech” Miami Herald, 24th Aug. 2013, Web Miller, Keith, D. “on Martin Luther King Jr and the landscape of civil rights Rhetoric.” Rhetoric & Public Affairs (8), spring 2013 167-183 print Washington, Durthy, A. “I have a Dream’: A Rhetorical Analysis” The Black Scholar 23.2 Winter/Spring 1993. 16-19. print

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Martin Luther King Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on martin luter king.

Martin Luther King Jr. was an African-American leader in the U.S. He lost his life while performing a peaceful protest for the betterment of blacks in America. His real name was Michael King Jr. He completed his studies and attained a Ph.D. After that, he joined the American Civil Right Movement. He was among one of the great men who dedicated their life for the community.

Reason for Martin Luther King to be famous

There are two reasons for someone to be famous either he is a good man or a very bad person. Martin Luther King was among the good one who dedicated his life to the community. Martin Luther King was also known as MLK Jr. He gained popularity after he became the leader and spokesperson of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s.

Martin Luther King was an American activist, minister, and humanitarian. Also, he had worked for several other causes and actively participated in many protests and boycotts. He was a peaceful man that has faith in Christian beliefs and non-violence. Also, his inspiration for them was the work of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. For his work in the field of civil rights, the Nobel Committee awarded him the Nobel Peace Prize.

He was a great speaker that motivated the blacks to protest using non-violence. Also, he uses peaceful strategies like a boycott, protest march , and sit-ins, etc. for protests against the government.

Impact of King

King is one of the renowned leaders of the African-American who worked for the welfare of his community throughout his life. He was very famous among the community and is the strongest voice of the community. King and his fellow companies and peaceful protesters forced the government several times to bend their laws. Also, kings’ life made a seismic impact on life and thinking of the blacks. He was among one of the great leaders of the era.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Humanitarian and civil rights work

As we know that King was a civic leader . Also, he has taken part in many civil right campaigns and boycotts like the Bus Boycott, Voting Rights and the most famous March on Washington. In this march along with more than 200,000 people, he marched towards Washington for human right. Also, it’s the largest human right campaign in U.S.A. history. During the protest, he gave a speech named “I Have a Dream” which is history’s one of the renowned speeches.

Death and memorial

During his life working as a leader of the Civil Rights Movement he makes many enemies. Also, the government and plans do everything to hurt his reputation. Martin Luther King was assassinated in 1968. Every year the US celebrates his anniversary as Martin Luther King Jr. day in the US. Also, they honored kings’ memory by naming school and building after him and a Memorial at Independence Mall.

Martin Luther King was a great man who dedicated his whole life for his community. Also, he was an active leader and a great spokesperson that not only served his people but also humanity. It was due to his contribution that the African-American got their civil rights.

Essay Topics on Famous Leaders

• Mahatma Gandhi
• APJ Abdul Kalam
• Jawaharlal Nehru
• Swami Vivekananda
• Mother Teresa
• Rabindranath Tagore
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
• Subhash Chandra Bose
• Abraham Lincoln
• Martin Luther King

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"The Purpose of Education"

Author:  King, Martin Luther, Jr. (Morehouse College)

Date:  January 1, 1947 to February 28, 1947

Location:  Atlanta, Ga.

Genre:  Published Article

Topic:  Martin Luther King, Jr. - Political and Social Views

Writing in the campus newspaper, the  Maroon Tiger , King argues that education has both a utilitarian and a moral function. 1  Citing the example of Georgia’s former governor Eugene Talmadge, he asserts that reasoning ability is not enough. He insists that character and moral development are necessary to give the critical intellect humane purposes. King, Sr., later recalled that his son told him, “Talmadge has a Phi Beta Kappa key, can you believe that? What did he use all that precious knowledge for? To accomplish what?” 2

As I engage in the so-called “bull sessions” around and about the school, I too often find that most college men have a misconception of the purpose of education. Most of the “brethren” think that education should equip them with the proper instruments of exploitation so that they can forever trample over the masses. Still others think that education should furnish them with noble ends rather than means to an end.

It seems to me that education has a two-fold function to perform in the life of man and in society: the one is utility and the other is culture. Education must enable a man to become more efficient, to achieve with increasing facility the ligitimate goals of his life.

Education must also train one for quick, resolute and effective thinking. To think incisively and to think for one’s self is very difficult. We are prone to let our mental life become invaded by legions of half truths, prejudices, and propaganda. At this point, I often wonder whether or not education is fulfilling its purpose. A great majority of the so-called educated people do not think logically and scientifically. Even the press, the classroom, the platform, and the pulpit in many instances do not give us objective and unbiased truths. To save man from the morass of propaganda, in my opinion, is one of the chief aims of education. Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real from the unreal, and the facts from the fiction.

The function of education, therefore, is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. But education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society. The most dangerous criminal may be the man gifted with reason, but with no morals.

The late Eugene Talmadge, in my opinion, possessed one of the better minds of Georgia, or even America. Moreover, he wore the Phi Beta Kappa key. By all measuring rods, Mr. Talmadge could think critically and intensively; yet he contends that I am an inferior being. Are those the types of men we call educated?

We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only power of concentration, but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate. The broad education will, therefore, transmit to one not only the accumulated knowledge of the race but also the accumulated experience of social living.

If we are not careful, our colleges will produce a group of close-minded, unscientific, illogical propagandists, consumed with immoral acts. Be careful, “brethren!” Be careful, teachers!

1.  In 1925, the  Maroon Tiger  succeeded the  Athenaeum  as the campus literary journal at Morehouse. In the first semester of the 1947–1948 academic year, it won a First Class Honor Rating from the Associated Collegiate Press at the University of Minnesota. The faculty adviser to the  Maroon Tiger  was King’s English professor, Gladstone Lewis Chandler. King’s “The Purpose of Education” was published with a companion piece, “English Majors All?” by a fellow student, William G. Pickens. Among the many prominent black academicians and journalists who served an apprenticeship on the  Maroon Tiger  staff were Lerone Bennett, Jr., editor of  Ebony ; Brailsford R. Brazeal, dean of Morehouse College; S. W. Garlington, city editor of New York’s  Amsterdam News ; Hugh Gloster, president of Morehouse College; Emory O. Jackson, editor of the  Birmingham World ; Robert E. Johnson, editor of  Jet ; King D. Reddick of the  New York Age ; Ira De A. Reid, chair of the Sociology Department at Atlanta University; and C. A. Scott, editor and general manager of the  Atlanta Daily World . See  The Morehouse Alumnus , July 1948, pp. 15–16; and Edward A. Jones,  A Candle in the Dark: A History of Morehouse College  (Valley Forge, Pa.: Judson Press, 1967), pp. 174, 260, 289–292.

2.  Martin Luther King, Sr., with Clayton Riley,  Daddy King: An Autobiography  (New York: William Morrow, 1980), p. 143. In an unpublished autobiographical statement, King, Sr., remembered a meeting between Governor Eugene Talmadge and a committee of blacks concerning the imposition of the death penalty on a young black man for making improper remarks to a white woman. King, Sr., reported that Talmadge “sent us away humiliated, frustrated, insulted, and without hope of redress” (“The Autobiography of Daddy King as Told to Edward A. Jones” [n.d.], p. 40; copy in CKFC). Six months before the publication of King’s article, Georgia’s race-baiting former governor Eugene Talmadge had declared in the midst of his campaign for a new term as governor that “the only issue in this race is White Supremacy.” On 12 November, the black General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia designated his inauguration date, 9 January 1947, as a day of prayer. Talmadge died three weeks before his inauguration. See William Anderson,  The Wild Man from Sugar Creek: The Political Career of Eugene Talmadge  (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1975), pp. 226–237; Joseph L. Bernd, “White Supremacy and the Disfranchisement of Blacks in Georgia, 1946,”  Georgia Historical Quarterly  66 (Winter 1982): 492–501; Clarence M. Wagner,  Profiles of Black Georgia Baptists  (Atlanta: Bennett Brothers, 1980), p. 104; and Benjamin E. Mays,  Born to Rebel: An Autobiography  (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1987), pp. 221–223.

Source:   Maroon Tiger  (January-February 1947): 10.  

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Letter from Birmingham Jail

Martin luther king, jr., ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Letter From Birmingham Jail

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“Letter from Birmingham Jail” is considered by many to be a masterpiece of American essay writing and political rhetoric . King’s adept handling of persuasive appeals and his interventions in the representation of the stakeholders in the struggle for civil rightsallowed him to introduce the Civil Rights Movement to a national audience that may well have had negative perceptions of it.

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Home — Essay Samples — History — Civil Rights Movement — Martin Luther King Jr Thesis Statement

Martin Luther King Jr Thesis Statement

• Categories: Civil Rights Movement Social Justice

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Published: Mar 13, 2024

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Martin Luther King Argument From Birmingham Jail Essay

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Introduction

Works cited.

In the twentieth century the Black society of the United States faced with the hope for rights movement for Black population of America. The figure of Martin Luther King Jr. in the early sixties displayed that the racial segregation should be stopped immediately. The argument of Dr. King provides a clear background of the real reasons of his arrestment and his desire to grab attention of the Christian society of Birmingham’s clergymen in Alabama. Dr. King was active in making all possible rational actions effective by means of personal verbal implementation. Such work is related to his Letter from a Birmingham Jail which was written by the King in spring 1963 for clergymen of main religious communities at the place, so that to pay their attention toward what exactly was happening in the field of civil rights for Black people in the US at the time. I totally agree with the points being stated in King’s argument. The evaluation of why Martin Luther King Jr. was imprisoned and to what effects it might lead is underlined due to five personal objections raised in the work by King, namely: his outside actions, intentions to break the law, precipitate violence, “unwise and untimely” activities (King para 1), and his extremist actions. All these points were incriminated to King by the White society of the time, so there should be a rational explanation of why the Dr. King objected to such statements, and how he constructed his arguments as of each within the objections.

Dr. King was a great agitator and could make people listen to what he said. This prospect is outlined with the reason of why he had been arrested. In fact, people who supported the ideas of Martin Luther King Jr. organized a boycott of stores in Birmingham, Alabama, where white population is predominant. King tried to make clergymen realize the significance of the problem. Peaceful meeting of people is not a breaking of the law. Thus, King notes: “It is unfortunate that demonstrations are taking place in Birmingham, but it is even more unfortunate that the city’s white power structure left the Negro community with no alternative” (King para 5)… The atmosphere over the situation drew to a head also with a fact that white churches were out of the process. It is when one of the Christian affiliates was placed in Alabama and was known as the “Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights” (King para 2). A rhetorical style of King presupposes a mere outline of misunderstanding or a lack of White peoples’ desire to make out the reasons for adversarial position.

A constant use of different statements by great Americans, such as Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson rhetorically supports King in his compellation. Also the structure of the work is outlined with the historical experience about how the rights of a man should be protected. Thereupon, Martin Luther King Jr. urges to admit a quite logic fact: “…freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed” (King para 11). It is seen here that the slogan is not for violence, but for a provision of equality in rights. Here the words of A. Lincoln are true, namely that the American nation “cannot survive half slave and half free” (King para 24). Moreover, to make emphasis King uses the previous experience of mankind and the development of political as well as social relations in the United States, which contradict the grounds of American nation’s formation.

The arguments of Dr. King are strong in making parallels as of the statements of White people about the actions of African Americans, as an act of precipitate violence. In this case King compares such unfair denunciation with a robbed man being condemned for his possession of money from the very beginning: “Isn’t this like condemning a robbed man because his possession of money precipitated the evil act of robbery” (King para 21)? It is true, from the side of Dr. King, to prop up against the sound estimation of peaceful intentions of Black people underlined with strict analogies according to the arguments promoted.

A rather true objective of Dr. King touches upon believers’ inactivity and their untimely actions, in fact. Such criticism of churches and their representatives is outlined in the Letter in a following way: “Where were their voices when the lips of Governor Barnett dripped with words of interposition and nullification? Where were they when Governor Wallace gave the clarion call for defiance and hatred” (King para 30)? The answers for such questions are considered by Martin Luther King Jr. with church communities’ fear for the activities of such kind.

The allegedly extremist inclinations of Martin Luther King are analyzed in the Letter due to his widespread influence on the Black communities all over the country. In fact, King wanted to unite American society. Thus, he writes regarding to the activity of demonstrators: “I wish you had commended the Negro sit-inners and demonstrators of Birmingham for their sublime courage, their willingness to suffer and their amazing discipline in the midst of great provocation” (King para 36).

To conclude, the arrest of Martin Luther King Jr. was not so long. Due to his ability to speak to people and make them concerned about the dramatic development of social relations in the US his legendary speech “I Have a Dream” was announced in Washington in August 1963.

King, Martin Luther Jr. “Letter from a Birmingham Jail [King, Jr.]” .

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IvyPanda. (2021, November 9). Martin Luther King Argument From Birmingham Jail. https://ivypanda.com/essays/martin-luther-king-argument-from-birmingham-jail/

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Empowering Minds: the Influence of Martin Luther King Jr. on Education

This essay about Martin Luther King Jr.’s influence on education highlights his profound impact on fostering equality and empowerment through knowledge and advocacy. It explores King’s belief in the inherent dignity of every individual, his advocacy for accessible education regardless of race or creed, and his emphasis on character education and the common good. It also discusses how his legacy continues to inspire educators and activists worldwide, shaping the pursuit of educational equity and social justice.

How it works

In the annals of history, certain figures emerge as beacons of inspiration, guiding humanity toward greater enlightenment and justice. Martin Luther King Jr. stands among these luminaries, his legacy transcending the boundaries of time and space. While his indomitable spirit ignited the flames of social change, his influence on education reverberates as a testament to the transformative power of knowledge and advocacy.

Martin Luther King Jr. understood that education was not merely about imparting facts and figures but about fostering critical thinking, empathy, and social responsibility.

He believed that education held the key to dismantling the shackles of oppression and fostering a more just and equitable society. His vision extended beyond the confines of the classroom, encompassing a broader commitment to nurturing the minds and spirits of future generations.

At the heart of King’s philosophy was the belief in the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. He championed the idea that education should be accessible to all, irrespective of race, class, or creed. In his quest for equality, he fought tirelessly to desegregate schools and expand educational opportunities for marginalized communities. Through his leadership in the civil rights movement, he paved the way for landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which not only dismantled legal barriers to education but also laid the foundation for a more inclusive society.

Yet, King’s influence on education transcended the realm of policy and legislation. He recognized that true empowerment comes not only from access to education but also from the cultivation of a sense of agency and self-worth. In his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered at the Lincoln Memorial in 1963, he spoke of his vision of a world where individuals would be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. This message resonated deeply with educators and students alike, inspiring them to strive for excellence and to challenge the status quo.

King’s emphasis on the importance of character education reflected his belief that true greatness lies not in material wealth or power but in moral integrity and service to others. He believed that education should instill in individuals a sense of moral responsibility and a commitment to the common good. His concept of the “Beloved Community,” where all members of society live in harmony and solidarity, served as a guiding principle for educators seeking to cultivate compassionate and engaged citizens.

Moreover, King understood that education was not solely the responsibility of schools but of society as a whole. He called upon parents, community leaders, and policymakers to join hands in nurturing the minds and spirits of the youth. He recognized the importance of collaboration and collective action in addressing the systemic inequalities that plagued the educational system.

In the decades since King’s passing, his legacy has continued to inspire educators and activists around the world. His teachings on nonviolence, empathy, and social justice have found resonance in classrooms and communities across the globe. From the civil rights movement to the Black Lives Matter movement, his words and actions continue to serve as a guiding light for those seeking to build a more just and equitable society.

In conclusion, Martin Luther King Jr.’s influence on education is profound and enduring. His commitment to equality, justice, and empowerment has left an indelible mark on the educational landscape, shaping the way we think about teaching, learning, and social change. As we reflect on his legacy, let us recommit ourselves to the pursuit of educational equity and excellence, knowing that the path to a brighter future lies in the empowerment of minds and the fulfillment of dreams.

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8 Powerful Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes

Posted: May 31, 2024 | Last updated: May 31, 2024

Eight inspirational quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. on topics like love, faith, light, justice and hope. The quotes emphasize the power of love and nonviolence to drive out hate, seek peace, transform enemies into friends, and lead the way towards justice.

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