Analysis Of Martin Luther King's Beyond Vietnam: A Time To Break Silence
War is not a subject one should speak lightly of. It is an important but controversial issue in America, and it has been for years, as it affects the lives of every person living in the country. One person in particular stands against the war he lives to experience the effects of: the Vietnam War. In his speech, “Beyond Vietnam - A Time to Break Silence,” Martin Luther King Jr. presents a persuasive argument against America’s involvement in the Vietnam War through his word choice and anecdotal evidence. King provides descriptions of America’s condition during the war in Vietnam and before it. Before America’s involvement, there was a “real promise of hope for the poor - both black and white - through the poverty program.” This detail is important
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At this point, black people face more hardships than most, even without the war interfering. King calls attention to the irony of sending black young men “who had been crippled by our society” to fight to the death for a nation that could not even seat black and white boys together in the same school. The injustice of the situation is brought to light as King presents the hardships black boys go through. Not only are they forced to deal with inequality in America, but they are also required to fight in a foreign country for a nation that does not fight for their rights. Upon seeing the violence with which young black men are forced to deal on top of the preexisting racial inequality, the listener concludes that the war is crueler and even more unjust that the issues with which the country is already faced. Martin Luther King Jr. leaves a solid impression on the listener. He provides all the support he need for his argument through his dramatic word choice and emotionally appealing evidence. The listener is led to acknowledge that America’s involvement is fair to no one; it is not fair to those living in America or to the nation itself. Therefore, it is best to join in King’s opposition to involvement in the Vietnam
At this point, black people face more hardships than most, even without the war interfering. King calls attention to the irony of sending black young men “who had been crippled by our society” to fight to the death for a nation that could not even seat black and white boys together in the same school. The injustice of the situation is brought to light as King presents the hardships black boys go through. Not only are they forced to deal with inequality in America, but they are also required to fight in a foreign country for a nation that does not fight for their rights. Upon seeing the violence with which young black men are forced to deal on top of the preexisting racial inequality, the listener concludes that the war is crueler and even more unjust that the issues with which the country is already faced. Martin Luther King Jr. leaves a solid impression on the listener. He provides all the support he need for his argument through his dramatic word choice and emotionally appealing evidence. The listener is led to acknowledge that America’s involvement is fair to no one; it is not fair to those living in America or to the nation itself. Therefore, it is best to join in King’s opposition to involvement in the Vietnam