Two Visions Of Justice: Martin Luther King Jr And Barack Obama

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For an introduction, Martin Luther King is a well-renowned man whose name is widely known by many. Martin Luther King, Jr was actually born by the name Michael Luther King, Jr but had changed his name to Martin. He was born on 15th January 1929 and lived till the 4th of April, 1968. He was a scholar and minister who had led the civil rights movement. Besides that, he was also a Baptist minister and at the same time a civil rights activist who played a crucial part in bringing up race relations in the United States around the mid- 1950s. The impact of his acts such as his inspirational speeches had ended the legal segregation of the African-American citizens of the United States and this was when the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965 were created. At that point of time in 1964, Martin was the youngest person to have won the Nobel Peace Prize. Till this very day, he is continued to be remembered as the most influential African-American leader of history.

For an introduction, Barack Obama was once the President of the United States of America but what exactly makes him so special? Well, to be more precise, he was the 44th president. Not only had that he served two terms that are in 2008 and 2012. He had graduated from Columbia University and then later on to Harvard Law School and during that period of time, he held the position of the president for the Harvard Law Review. Later on, he had continued his journey by serving the Illinois State Senate, after serving he was elected as a U.S senator representing Illinois in 2004. On 20th January 2009, a new era began for the United State of America as Obama was then elected as the President who spoke over to a crowd of millions and millions more watching at home.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s goal of the speech is to persuade all individuals in the United States of America to have equal rights no matter what skin colour, race or belief. On 28th August 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech on civil rights to a group of marchers that were at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. The primary message being delivered was Freedom as a dark skin colour individual and civil rights. Martin Luther King Jr. begins his speech with the words “I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation”. This can clearly show that his main aim was always to believe that everyone has the right to freedom. He was extremely brave and a strong principle holder. Martin Luther King Jr. had always had the spirit of perseverance of equality. He hoped that the people are given the equal rights they deserved. However, at the very end, his dream did succeed as his hard work paid off.

President’s Barack Obama’s goal of the speech is to motivate all individuals in the United States of America to work hand in hand to build a better United States of America. On 20th January 2009, President Obama gave the inaugural speech at the West Front of the United States Capitol. The primary message being delivered was to restore responsibility of all individuals through economic and social. Obama begins his speech with the words “My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you’ve bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors”. This can clearly show that his main aim was to talk to the citizens, he wants to convey his message that the citizen would always be put first in the decision-making process as without them he wouldn’t have been given the opportunity to be their President.

The Colour of skin doesn’t make any difference whether is it high or low in the hierarchy as everyone no matter dark or light skin colour have equal rights.

Martin Luther King Jr. had mentioned around 5 points that can be seen in his speech. In all of his points, he maintains using the same hook that is “I have a dream.” Firstly, I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed — “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” Based on clear observations, he started off with the sentence ‘I have a dream because he needs to address out the guidelines and goals in order to allow the nation to have the idea on following to follow the goals for a better future. What he meant by the phrase ‘one day is that there will be hope. That is the nation would rise up and live out their true purpose as African Americans will stand up and fight for their rights on equality and at the same time intimidate the whites. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal” this quote is from Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence. It states that without any elaboration and declaration we will accept any reasonable responses. That means, everyone is liable to assess equality of value.

Secondly, I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. This point refers to Martin Luther repeating the dream is for the hope of the future. The red hills of Georgia mean the injustice and struggle that has faced by the south. “Slaves” leaves a deep impression wording for both black and whites’ parties. The slaves would be the blacks whereas; the slaves-owners would be whites. The repetition of the wording slave is the highlight of the point and has a triggering feeling for both black and white parties to have a chance for harmonization.

Thirdly, I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. Mississippi is a state that is “Built into the very bones” when comes to racism and humanity. The most tragic manifestation of racist sentiment in Mississippi is silence. Confrontation involves the moral and spiritual transformation of one’s opponent. This is the southern way of life in terms of segregation.

Fourth, I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. Martin Luther’s children stimulate the whole nation not just only their own country and do not have a judgement regarding the colour of their skin and by seeing and knowing each other by the content of the character. People can’t be simply judged by their colour and look.

I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor’s lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers. Alabama is a state that is located between Georgia and Mississippi. To survive, it requires each generation to be granted a temporary responsibility for cultivating its mission and the transformation of the racisms between black and white would be able to understand each other and be together no matter what.

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I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, and rough places will be made plains, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. Martin Luther basically means that everyone has an equal right and there’s no differentiation between a higher-level white person or a lower level black person. We all are equally same there’s no such thing that if you are white then you are rich while if you are black therefore you are poor. In the end, we all are still a human being that breathes the same air.

In conclusion, I think Martin Luther tried to pass on the message to the whites, that the things that the white people can do, the blacks can do it too. While the address has a very strong message for white people and hints at revolution, King’s words are mostly about peace, offering a vision everyone could buy into it closer.

Everyone who is together on the ship, everyone wouldn’t want the ship to sink as we are all on this together to bring success to their homeland. As a summary of President Obama’s speech is basically the points being economy, hardships, future of America, history of backlash and social.

Economically speaking by the speech given by President Barack Obama, the economy seems to be weakened as time draws out by the effect of the nation’s war, recession, the mentality of the new generations and etc. Also, tertiary sectors such as health and education were mentioned as well. Other than that, he mentioned no discrimination and equal rights. As quoted by him everyone has the right to have liberty, equal rights and every individual deserve to go after their goals with full commitments and favourable manner.

The second part explains that there are no shortcuts in life, it is either you “go big or go home”. Everything is earned with passion and not money motivated likes the greed of the devils. Bloods and sweats are the evidence of sacrificing for hard work. Without the sacrifice of many individuals, America wouldn’t be one of the most powerful nations worldwide. Also, as President Obama mentioned whatever happened in the past, let it be the past. Today, we have to move forward and get up from where we left off. Begin with determination to build a better America. The roads, technology and resources that have been producing for our comfortability are some of the best necessities needed and are being built with their own hands.

Furthermore, citizens are spreading rumours and asking questions about the system of the country. All bark and no bite were the problems not executing their goals in the country. They have forgotten about their roots and their ancestors who actually sacrifice their strong bravery and soul towards building a home that is called the United States of America. Nevertheless, there are questions on the stability of the economy for families regarding job opportunities and retirement. A government that is actually managing the public funds has very big gaps to fill, in order to earn the trust of the public and satisfy the interest of the public. Malicious thoughts will not be taken lightly by the public and country.

In the economy, the size of gross domestic product (GDP) is not only the concern of the president but the ability to expand opportunities with the aim to help any class range of income earners. With the heart of generosity only then everyone can move forward as a developed country. The United States of America is not only wanting to be known as a country but a friend to other nations, where every man, woman, kids have the capabilities of leading and seek for future peace and dignity. Earlier generations might have faced communism and fascism but now they understood that the power grows by the power of justness of the cause that we have done.

Iraq and Afghanistan might be on the same track as the United States of America but President Barack Obama vows to work tirelessly to reduce the threats with better understanding and cooperation between old foes till to have the legacy to be considered as friends. Terror and slaughtering innocents will not be tolerated and one day it will be defeated with all of their hearts and souls, till the dying breath. No matter Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and people who have no beliefs, that is strong and not a weakness to the world. Although different beliefs, colours, cultures and language, in the end, they are all together in this to make peace. President Barack Obama is willing to offer a helping hand to those who actually are willing to unreleased their fists and violence.

Lastly, to the outside world the United States of America is always going to welcome and help with open arms. It does not matter if you are in the United States of America to work, study or any other good motives. The price and promise of citizenship are to not be bias and willing to hold the responsibility together with honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism. This is the definition for men, women and children of every colour in the United States of America to do their duty.

In conclusion, let all individuals in the past and future of the United States of America have the courage and determination to go through all the hardships. This is the gift free from slavery and racism that will form a great and bright future.

To conclude Martin Luther King Jr’s speech, he strongly emphasizes the word dream, hoping that his speech will reach everyone’s heart with his intention to erase the discrimination between the white and dark-skinned people in order to have a peaceful society where everyone is being loved and treated with respect no matter what skin colour they have. While President Barack Obama is more political in nature where he tries to build up a better America and encouraging every individual to work together in spreading positivity and love in order to maintain the peace of the United States of America. Based on my opinion, Martin Luther King Jr speech has started the spark of accepting one another and motivating them to start a movement of change between the white and dark-skinned people. The dream that Martin Luther King Jr had was no longer a dream when President Barack Obama became the first African-American president of the United States and under his leadership, he made America a better place. In contrast to that, President Barack Obama continued Martin Luther King Jr’s and vows to work hard to maintain peace between the people no matter what beliefs, colour, culture and language they have. Even though Martin Luther King Jr speech about the freedom of the African-Americans in the United States had made significant changes in society, there are still shortcomings that the African-American people are facing in the current time. They are still struggling to fit in the society and their rights have not been empowered properly compared to the white people. Discrimination and racism have not been annihilated completely in today’s society. The rates of African-Americans being falsely accused of crimes and being shot has always been an issue. It is sickening because young and innocent people are dying just because of their skin colour. Where are their justice and rights? In my opinion, prevention can be done when the leader of the United States, start showing empathy and accepting the dark-skinned people as one of them instead of casting them out and being biased to a certain group of community. Then only everyone is treated with fairness and peace will take place. I believe justice will always find its way.

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Two Visions Of Justice: Martin Luther King Jr And Barack Obama. (2021, September 01). Edubirdie. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from https://edubirdie.com/examples/two-visions-of-justice-martin-luther-king-jr-and-barack-obama/
“Two Visions Of Justice: Martin Luther King Jr And Barack Obama.” Edubirdie, 01 Sept. 2021, edubirdie.com/examples/two-visions-of-justice-martin-luther-king-jr-and-barack-obama/
Two Visions Of Justice: Martin Luther King Jr And Barack Obama. [online]. Available at: <https://edubirdie.com/examples/two-visions-of-justice-martin-luther-king-jr-and-barack-obama/> [Accessed 25 Apr. 2024].
Two Visions Of Justice: Martin Luther King Jr And Barack Obama [Internet]. Edubirdie. 2021 Sept 01 [cited 2024 Apr 25]. Available from: https://edubirdie.com/examples/two-visions-of-justice-martin-luther-king-jr-and-barack-obama/
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