ipl-logo

Analyzing Primary Sources: Two Versions Of John Lewis Speech

939 Words4 Pages

Maxen Yuzon History 205: Protests of the 1960s Dr. Threlkeld January 19th, 2023 Analyzing Primary sources: Two Versions of John Lewis’ Speech What does this source tell us about the past? The March on Washington For Jobs and Freedom held on August 28th, 1963 had a total of eighteen speakers, including association presidents, chairmen, and religious leaders all united in one march pushing for the civil rights bill. Each of the speakers was from a different organization, association, religious background, and age, the most famous speech being Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Perhaps, out of all the speakers, the biggest example of the younger generation's voice in “The March on Washington For Jobs and Freedom” was John Lewis’ …show more content…

While the ideals of the younger generation took a backseat in the March on Washington, Lewis’ speech used language and tone that was much more representative of what the younger generation and SNCC stood for. Lewis wrote in the initial draft: “The revolution is a serious one. Mr. Kennedy is trying to take the revolution out of the streets and put it into the courts” (Lewis, 1963). In the original draft of the speech written for the march, Lewis addresses President Kennedy and politicians, asking them to listen to their statements then suggests that there will be no “cooling off” period. It was a concern of the older generation including A. Philip Randolph and Dr. Martin Luther King, that directly calling out President Kennedy and other politicians in such a manner, would lead to a different reaction from those in attendance and watching around the world. Using the context of the interview given in 2013, Lewis discussed a conversation with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in which he told Lewis the initial draft “didn’t sound like [him]” (Lewis, 2013). These sections were removed from the speech actually given by Lewis, demonstrating the importance of their language and how speakers addressed those who had the power to make necessary changes. Lewis removed this section out of respect for those who had more experience than himself, while also in an effort to stay united with the tone and language of the speakers at the march. While it wasn’t thought to be productive enough for the march's goal by those who suggested edits and revisions, the urgency stressed by SNCC aligned with what Lewis

Show More
Related

  • Brief Summary Of We March By Shane W. Evans

    1365 Words  | 6 Pages

    Evans provides us with a different side of the protest that happened in 1963, what families and individuals had to do and go through to reach Washington DC. To end the book Evans shows us a picture of Martin Luther King Jr delivering his “I have a dream” speech. He does this not only to focus on Martin Luther King Jr but rather focuses the perspective on those individuals

    Read More

  • The March Trilogy, Creation By Congressman John Lewis

    416 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout March Book Two John Lewis tells how he was directly involved in both public demonstrations and behind-the-scenes meetings with government officials and African-American leaders. He recalls with unflinching honesty his account from the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church to his eventual break with Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee’s (SNCC) increasingly radical elements. Alternating stomach-turning incidents of violence including his own vicious clubbing on the Selma to Montgomery march with passages of impassioned rhetoric from many voices, he chronicles the growing fissures within the movement. In the stunning conclusion to the March trilogy. Congressman John Lewis tells how by the fall of 1963, the Civil Rights Movement has penetrated deep into the American nation, and as chairman of the SNCC, John Lewis is guiding the tip of the spear.

    Read More

  • Martin Luther King Use Pathos In John Lewis Speech

    1118 Words  | 5 Pages

    I'm sure you know about the march on Washington. The march of black rights activists to inspire the government to pass the civil rights act. When you think about the civil rights movement, or the march on Washington, you probably think about Martin Luther King or John Lewis’s speeches. Both famous speeches but how do they compare and contrast? While both Lewis and King use different rhetorical devices both of their speeches are equally effective for their designed use.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of John Lewis In His Truth Is Marching On

    601 Words  | 3 Pages

    In His Truth is Marching On, Jon Meacham highlights the importance of John Lewis whose desire to make a change, persistent nonviolent approach, and ideology of a Beloved Community allowed him to become one of the primary leaders during the civil rights movement. Throughout the book, Meacham’s goal was to bring light to the stories of John Lewis because of how he accomplished justice and power for blacks through his dedication to bringing the word of God to the streets on earth. By listening to the testament of a less well-known advocate in today's world, John Lewis, we hear new stories concerning the civil rights movement that can inspire those working to change social and political aspects of life today. Jon Meacham had the approach of using

    Read More

  • What Is Martin Luther King Thesis In Letter From Birmingham Jail

    1212 Words  | 5 Pages

    King had no regrets writing the letter, to have the urge to demand people, whether from the past or future, Martin Luther King Jr.’s words are to influence people from the Civil Rights movement's perspective this opportunity required discourse that would reaffirm the principles and actions of. King wrote a document that was to upstage that "now" by both drawing on the richness of the past and looking toward the potentials of the future. Yet, as it became a widespread public document, its effects then and now, being

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On John Lewis

    1853 Words  | 8 Pages

    When Obama is speaks about how Lewis was proud of the young activists who led the George Floyd protests, Obama asserts, “…he could not have been prouder to see this new generation of activists standing up for freedom and equality; a new generation that was intent on voting and protecting the right to vote; in some cases, a new generation running for political office” (Obama 6). This reveals that John Lewis was grateful of the people, who had not lived through the civil rights movement, confronting the social issues and discriminatory acts of the law. He emphasizes this belief by repeating the phrase “new generation” to call out to the audience, who are mostly of a generation past Lewis’ generation, to keep on promoting the ideas of social justice. Lewis and Obama believe in a generation that will succeed the works of John Lewis; they believe in a world that fosters a new generation of “John Lewises" who will fight for egalitarianism. John Lewis spent the entirety of his life fighting for impartial treatment for all American people, even addressing housing problems and poverty during his speech in the March on Washington; Lewis observing those who had never lived through the Civil Rights movement is a “passing of the torch” so to speak.

    Read More

  • March On Washington Speech Rhetorical Analysis

    1236 Words  | 5 Pages

    Deluged with remarkable linguistics, King’s rhetoric wholly epiphanized and unified a country that had been stricken with unrest by war and hate and thus became the epitome of the March on Washington and the summation of the Civil Rights Movement Summarized Speech The speech encapsulates the desire to remain equal among the exalted American people, those of White color. At the outset King utilizes a policy signed 100 years ago as reference to a declaration of freedom that has only been contorted to produce new boundaries on freedom;

    Read More

  • March On Washington Research Paper

    512 Words  | 3 Pages

    On August 28, 1963, hundreds of thousands of people marched to support freedom. They marched up and down Constitution and Independence avenues in Washington D.C. before the long awaited speech. They wanted to listen to the dream that Martin Luther King Jr. had, and they wanted to be the people to make that dream real. The March on Washington was an important part of the Civil Rights Movement, including the “I Have a Dream” speech. The effects of this event can still be seen today, and have changed how our nation has developed.

    Read More

  • March By John Lewis And Andrew Aydin

    868 Words  | 4 Pages

    MLK realizes this is not the intent of Lewis and claims, “John. I know who you are. I think I know you well. I don’t think this sounds like you” (Lewis and Aydin 163). This brings Lewis to the conclusion that he should edit his speech, which would turn out to be the best speech at the March other than MLK’s.

    Read More

  • March: Book One And March By John Lewis And Martin Luther King Jr.

    812 Words  | 4 Pages

    At that moment in the book, Lewis and the other protesters review their policies of non-violence. When so many other people, the white people, were so hateful and so cruel to the people of color, Lewis and the protesters vowed to stay non-violent when they easily could have fought back or retaliated, but they did not. That takes some of the strongest people with the most courage and strongest of wills to not return the hate and violence but to take the abuse the white people gave to them. That was the purpose of the March:

    Read More

  • Congressman John Lewis March Essay

    711 Words  | 3 Pages

    The graphic memoir, March, is a biography about Congressman John Lewis’ young life in rural Alabama which provides a great insight into lives of black families in 1940s and 50s under Jim Crow and segregation laws. March opens with a violent march at the Edmund Pettus Bridge, which the gruesome acts later became known as “Bloody Sunday,” during this march, 600 peaceful civil rights protestors were attacked by the Alabama state troopers for not listening to their commands. The story then goes back and forth depicts Lewis growing up in rural Alabama and President Obama’s inauguration in 2009. This story of a civil rights pioneer, John Lewis, portrays a strong influence between geography, community, and politics. The correlation between these pillars of March is that they have to coexist with other in order for John Lewis to exist that the world knows today.

    Read More

  • I Have A Dream Speech Rhetorical Essay

    804 Words  | 4 Pages

    On August 28th, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr gave us one of one of the most rhetorically moving speeches ever given. Titled as the “I Have a Dream Speech,” he read this speech to the “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom”. As a civil right mover he gave this great speech to all Americans (black and white) so that he could give off the idea of equality on the same level. Because of his crowd of mix races King made sure to make his speech imploring to all no matter what the race that they may be. He uses metaphorical imagery, powerful diction,and symbolism to create an impact on the audience.

    Read More

  • John Lewis 'A Rhetorical Analysis Of The Book' March

    1458 Words  | 6 Pages

    March Rhetorical Analysis The 1960’s civil rights movement often used persuasive language to echo the unheard voices of many individuals. Some more than others possessed the ability to exercise their potent use of language to bring forward prominent changes. In the book, March by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, eloquent methods of speech play an important role. John Lewis, Martin Luther King, and George Wallace are some that expressed their beliefs through persuasive empowering words.

    Read More

  • Martin Luther King's Speech Tone

    1111 Words  | 5 Pages

    At the 1963 March on Washington, American Baptist minister and activist Martin Luther King Jr. delivered one of his most famous speeches in history on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at the height of the African American civil rights movement. King maintains an overall passionate tone throughout the speech, but in the beginning, he projected a more urgent, cautionary, earnest, and reverent tone to set the audience up for his message. Towards the end, his tone becomes more hopeful, optimistic, and uplifting to inspire his audience to listen to his message: take action against racial segregation and discrimination in a peaceful manner. Targeting black and white Americans with Christian beliefs, King exposes the American public to the injustice

    Read More

  • I Have A Dream Speech Ethos Pathos Logos

    874 Words  | 4 Pages

    I have a dream speech Analysis Martin Luther king Jr once said,“ I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration of freedom in the history of our nation.” He addressed these words on August of 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial after marching through the streets of Washington. He addressed segregation injustice and racial discrimination against African Americans that took place during his era, in his “I have a dream speech.” He recognized that american was founded on freedom, democracy where each individual has a voice and matters. Only few weeks back protesters were getting arrested for fighting for equality.

    Read More

More about Analyzing Primary Sources: Two Versions Of John Lewis Speech

Open Document