I'Ve Seen the Promise Land
In accordance with the three speeches and one letter by Martin Luther King Jr., there are many ways one can comprehend what he intended to accomplish with each. This, of course, means besides the obvious understanding that can be absorbed through a quick read through. The one speech that resonates even in today’s society and still relates to things, even outside what King was speaking on, was his speech “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” or also known as “I See the Promised Land”. With any movement against injustice, a good leader must be present. Through understanding of his speeches and similar past leaders such as Moses and Jesus, it is clear how Dr. King established himself as the leader of the civil rights movement and his vision and strength led many to a better life filled with the freedoms that they had yearned for. The opening of this speech is inspirational yet it is also somewhat unexpected when put in the context of his other more famous works. When asked by God what age he would like to live in, he describes some of the most famous and wondrous places of all time, such as Ancient Greece or the Renaissance. Then, with a powerful swoop in his voice, he says:
Strangely enough, I would turn to the Almighty, and say, ‘If you allow me to live just a few years in the second half of the 20th century, I will be happy.’ Now that 's a strange statement to make, because the world is all messed up. The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land; confusion all around. That 's a strange statement. But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.
Martin Luther King Jr. knew that the time had come to finally address the issues that had been conflicted within him as well as countless others. He states, “But now, no longer can they just talk about it. It is no longer a choice between violence and nonviolence in this world; it 's nonviolence or nonexistence.” He continued his speech by delivering messages from Jesus and various biblical
Strangely enough, I would turn to the Almighty, and say, ‘If you allow me to live just a few years in the second half of the 20th century, I will be happy.’ Now that 's a strange statement to make, because the world is all messed up. The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land; confusion all around. That 's a strange statement. But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.
Martin Luther King Jr. knew that the time had come to finally address the issues that had been conflicted within him as well as countless others. He states, “But now, no longer can they just talk about it. It is no longer a choice between violence and nonviolence in this world; it 's nonviolence or nonexistence.” He continued his speech by delivering messages from Jesus and various biblical
Bibliography: King, Martin Luther Jr. “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop.” Speech, Memphis, Tennessee, April 3, 1968. American Rhetoric. http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkivebeentothemountaintop.htm King, Martin Luther Jr. “Letter From Birmingham Jail.” (letter, Birmingham, Alabama, April 16, 1963. African Studies Center-University of Pennsylvania, http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html -------------------------------------------- [ 1 ]. Martin Luther King Jr., “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” (speech, Memphis, Tennessee, April 3, 1968), American Rhetoric, http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkivebeentothemountaintop.htm [ 2 ]. King Jr., “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” (April 3, 1968) [ 3 ]. Martin Luther King Jr., “Letter From Birmingham Jail” (letter, Birmingham, Alabama, April 16, 1963), African Studies Center-University of Pennsylvania, http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html [ 4 ]. Martin Luther King Jr., “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” (speech, Memphis, Tennessee, April 3, 1968), American Rhetoric, http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkivebeentothemountaintop.htm