Sunday, January 16, 2011

Let freedom ring!

As we celebrate the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr., in the US this week, it is moving to revisit his August 28, 1963, "I have a dream" speech. This is oratory at its absolute best. There are gems in virtually every sentence -- a use of metaphor that is unparalleled. And a construction of the entire speech that is incredibly powerful, with a rhythmic repetition of key themes that builds in intensity and beauty.

View it as a great speech, but also view it as a lesson that needs to be reinforced regularly. Please take the 12 minutes and watch the whole thing.

If you cannot view the video, click here.

1 comment:

  1. Paul:

    Excellent post, thanks for the video. Reminds me of one of the most moving memorials I've seen--the Civil Rights Memorial, designed by Maya Lin. It uses one of the many great lines from this speech "until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream." Well worth a visit to see it in Montgomery, AL.

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