ipl-logo

Martin Luther King Memorial Analysis

1250 Words5 Pages

Does the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Successfully Honor Dr. King and His Values? Dr. Martin Luther King Jr had a dream - a dream that one day all men, women, and children will be treated equally, regardless of color, race, ethnicity, or economic background. The Martin Luther King Jr Memorial was made in order to commemorate Dr. King and his legacy in rising up and fighting for the civil rights movement in the United States, although it has been plagued with some construction and design flaws. In spite of the issues of the background and presentation of the monument, the success of the memorial in honoring Dr. King and his values can be identified using the memorial itself, comments from Park Ranger John McCaskill, an academic seminar …show more content…

King’s basic moral views and values. These issues surrounding the monument don’t go against the primary purpose of commemorating Dr. King’s movement for justice, but they do present some flaws in the background of the memorial in regards to Dr. King. Miller brings to attention the fact that the memorial was constructed by Chinese slave laborers and how Dr. King advocated for rights of minorities and was a proponent against slavery in his fight for labor and economic equality. Miller also argues that the building of the memorial was funded by a number of corporate interests who then used Dr. King’s image to promote themselves. These corporate interests then subdued Dr. King’s radical economic views against the corporate world and directed the focus to justice and civil rights. Miller says that these issues in the design and construction of the MLK Jr memorial goes against what Dr. King fought for, and this detracts from the monument itself, because it’s not the way Dr. King would have wanted himself to be portrayed. Although there are many construction issues surrounding the MLK Jr memorial, the memorial does a good job of evoking certain affection regarding civil rights which is the main …show more content…

Bruyneel states that the MLK Jr memorial paints Dr. King in a light regarding him as a haloed figure and that “King stands as a figure of consensus deployed to ‘impersonate’ the idea that the U.S. is now a post-racial society in which collective and structural concerns about racial equality have been displaced” (Bruyneel 76). Bruyneel argues that Dr. King was much more radical and liberal than the way his conservative monument represents him by leaving out controversial economic views and beliefs. Furthermore, he says that Dr. King’s image has been distorted in order to fit the interests of the US government and corporate interests. This notion is partially true, because of the corporate funding of the memorial and radical views that Dr. King held; however this memorial’s true purpose is to represent the civil rights struggle in which MLK Jr engaged in and fought so hard for. Also, the statue of Dr. King portrays him as a is seen as a stiff and tense figure, but it captures him in a light which represents the civil rights movement which was a tense time for him and all minorities. The statue is a candid representation of the emotions surrounding the 1960’s civil rights movement, and it’s a symbol for how the fight for justice was an uneasy

Show More
Related

  • Malcolm X Book Report

    971 Words  | 4 Pages

    Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and the Civil Rights Struggle of the 1950s and 1960s. A Brief History with Documents written by David Howard-Pitney is a great history book that gives us an entry into two important American thinkers and a tumultuous part of American history. This 207-pages book was published by Bedford/St. Martin’s in Boston, New York on February 20, 2004. David Howard-Pitney worked at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers Project at Stanford University in 1986, and that made him a specialist on American civil religion and African-American leaders ' thought and rhetoric (208). Another publication of Howard-Pitney is The African-American Jeremiad: Appeals for Justice in America.

    Read More

  • Does Martin Luther King Jr Mean In Letter From Birmingham Jail

    767 Words  | 4 Pages

    Martin Luther King Jr. is seen as one of the most influential people in the civil rights movement, He brought forth change and was one of the leaders and forth runner of the movement to end segregation and give all equal rights. Whenever or wherever King went or spoke the reaction was always seen, heard, and powerful, he had established a following that was always ready to listen and was ready to cooperate in whatever needed to be done to help further the movement. When King was asked to help with marches in Birmingham his heart and compassion lead him to go to Birmingham ready to change and bring justice. When he was jailed after the march through Birmingham, the letter he sent from his cell in April of 1963 redefined the way people looked at the desegregation movement and how

    Read More

  • March On Washington Speech Rhetorical Analysis

    1236 Words  | 5 Pages

    Martin Luther King Jr. inexplicably opened the eyes of Americans across the nation with his role in the movement and his use of resonating imagery, excellent emotional appeal, powerful voice, and evocation of logic in his “I Have a Dream” speech. With such an enthralling rhetoric he gained a vast amount of support and exponentially increased the pride in standing up for what’s righteous and just. Exemplifying the throes of being a colored person, King evoked sympathy whilst simultaneously applying the valid logic that no human should be subjected to lesser standards. His rhetoric wholly changed American history that day and thus conveyed his ability to maintain equanimity throughout all of the

    Read More

  • Civil Rights Movement: Martin Luther King Jr.

    452 Words  | 2 Pages

    Without Martin Luther King Jr.’s peaceful wisdom, Americans, regardless of their diversities, would not be experiencing many of the freedoms we have today. As one may see, King was true leader of the civil rights

    Read More

  • Letter From Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Analysis

    771 Words  | 4 Pages

    Martin Luther King Jr. was an American baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the Civil Rights Movement in 1954. He had a great impact on race relations in the U.S. and he made a great impact on many lives. He died in 1968. Dr. King wrote 2 famous works, “Dream” and “Birmingham” and each had a different audience and purpose. Both works utilizes the persuasive techniques of pathos in “Dream” and logos in “Birmingham.”

    Read More

  • Logos In Dr. King's I Have A Dream By Martin Luther King

    853 Words  | 4 Pages

    Martin Luther King Jr. was an important figure in gaining civil rights throughout the 1960’s and he’s very deserving of that title as seen in both his “I Have a Dream” speech and his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” letter. In both of these writings Dr. King uses logos - logical persuasion - and pathos - emotional appeal - to change the opinions of people who were for segregation and against civil rights. Although King was arrested for a nonviolent protest, he still found a way to justify his actions with the use of logos and pathos. MLK uses both ways to gain the attention and agreement of the audience but, he uses pathos not just more, but in a more relatable way in order to appeal to his audience.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Ethos In I Have A Dream Speech

    963 Words  | 4 Pages

    After these 100 years nothing has changed and this is why MLK is delivering this speech. In MLKs speech he uses logos to show the audience that they have not been treated fairly compared to whites. African Americans have not been given the same opportunities as whites. His use of logos makes the audience feel a closeness to him because of what he is saying in his speech and this finally leads to the rights they have

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Speech

    1848 Words  | 8 Pages

    Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most influential leaders of his time and played a crucial role in the African-American Civil Rights movement. Luther was a charismatic leader who took a firm stand against the oppressive and racist regime of the United States (US), devoting much of his life towards uniting the segregated African-American community of the US. His efforts to consolidate and harmonise the US into one country for all is reflected in many of his writings and speeches spanning his career. As a leader of his people, King took the stand to take radical measures to overcome the false promises of the sovereign government that had been addressing the issues of racial segregation through unimplemented transparent laws that did nothing to change the grim realities of the society. Hence, King’s works always had the recurring theme of the unity and strength of combined willpower.

    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

  • How Did Martin Luther King Jr Use Ethos Pathos Logos

    961 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Civil Rights Movement was a big thing for the United states and we as Americans will always remember Martin Luther King Jr. for helping lead the people and inspire change and bring hope. The speech “ I Have a Dream” by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was an important gathering of people at the Lincoln Memorial. A huge crowd gathered to listen to his powerful speech which helped to inspire change. Martin Luther King also wrote a letter to eight white clergymen named “Letter From Birmingham Jail” the letter was written in in his jail cell which he was in for marching and protests. In both of these texts Dr. King used pathos and logos to inspire change and reach out to the people during the civil rights movements.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter To Birmingham Jail

    1546 Words  | 7 Pages

    Martin Luther King Jr. was a strong leader in the Civil Rights movement, the son and grandson of a minister, and one heck of a letter writer. As he sits in a cell of Birmingham Jail in 1963, he responds to criticism from eight white clergymen. Though this letter was intended for the judgemental and condescending men of high faith, his response touched the hearts and minds of the entire U.S. population, then, and for years to come. In his tear-jerking, mind-opening letter, King manages to completely discredit every claim made by the clergymen while keeping a polite and formal tone. Metaphors, allusions, and rhetorical questions are used in the most skillful way to support his argument and ultimately convince his audience of the credibility behind his emotional, yet factual, claims.

    Read More

  • Letter From Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Analysis

    991 Words  | 4 Pages

    Hearts of the oppressed will always cry out in desperation; waiting for anyone to swoop in and liberate them from their cruel reality. Few are capable of mustering up the gumption to throw their neck on the line in defense of the defenseless. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one such man. Trading in his comfortable life for one of danger and ridicule, King was catapulted to the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement following the profound leadership he demonstrated during the Montgomery Bus Boycott. As a well-educated, African American pastor, he provided a unique perspective on the racial issues at hand.

    Read More

  • Selma Movie Analysis Essay

    1006 Words  | 5 Pages

    Dr. Martin Luther King is a character of “Selma” human characteristics of humor, exhaustion and frustration. The story tells us about the actions and efforts of the King. It tells us that King was bestowed on a person no different than any of us. Moreover, we have no excuse not to as

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King Jr.'s I Have A Dream Speech

    624 Words  | 3 Pages

    Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader in the African American Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, he was known for his nonviolent movements and methods of protesting. This involved many African American citizens to take verbal and physical abuse from the police and not being able to do anything about it. He used his words to inspire the nation into taking action, instead of promoting violence. Dr. King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech in front of thousands of United States citizen from all different backgrounds at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. Kings uses ethos to point out why segregation was unjust and to justify why African Americans deserves the same rights as the white citizens of the United States.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Elements Of Mlk's I Have A Dream Speech

    976 Words  | 4 Pages

    By using the rhetorical features, MLK’s speech reached a different level of effectiveness for his audience. Using credibility, authority, trustworthiness and similarity to build a relationship by using evidence, MLK achieved ethos. Then by stating his values and creating imagery achieved but hos vocabulary he effective used pathos. Finally, by his clarity, goals, evidence and consistency, MLK appropriately reached his audience logical and effectively using logos. Martin Luther King Jr. is remembered for his great speeches, accomplishments and his leadership skills, but also for the sincerity of his heart for the freedom and unity of all people.

    Read More

More about Martin Luther King Memorial Analysis

Open Document