Yesterday was the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. We read an article about the original march and the plans for the celebration. Here is a link to the speech President Obama delivered at yesterday's commemoration. Read the speech then post a comment. In it you should name what you consider to be President Obama's key point(s), followed by your personal reflections on them.
Then, read this editorial from today's New York Times. Post a short response to this piece - did it alter your opinion of President Obama's remarks? Give you a different perspective or raise something you hadn't previously considered? Did you agree or disagree with its points?
I think that 50 years from then, the fact that a black president was standing there on that same beam, and that there is still so much inequality, would break Dr. King's heart. I also do not think that all those people who walked and bused and rode to freedom are the reason they have it. I do believe the freedom concept lays soley with Dr. King himself. He was the one out of all those people that spoke in a way that everyone could hear him, which is why we remember him today. I feel as though Obama got up there and represented more of his skin color rather than his country.
ReplyDeletePresident Obama's key points were that August 28th was a day to remember the March on Washington and reflect on how far the United States has come, but to also remember that especially in the areas of jobs and the economy, America has a long way to go. He talked about how we need to improve upon our levels of unemployment and our educational systems. He also spoke about how people need to find compassion and strength to work towards these goals. I think it was a good thing that President Obama didn't just speak about how America has completely fulfilled Dr. King's dream and how America is now a place of complete and total equality. There is still a lot of things that need to happen in order for the United States to be a place with equal opportunity for everybody, regardless of race, religion, or any other discerning factor, and I liked the fact that Obama acknowledged that.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the editorial, my opinion of President Obama's speech wasn't really changed at all, because my initial reaction to the speech was very similar to the response of the person who wrote the editorial. I did agree with the author's comments about how Obama addressed and referenced a goal to ensure that everyone who works hard enough can make their way into the middle class.
ReplyDeleteThe parallel of Obama to Martin Luther King is tremendous, standing 50 years apart and delivering the same message. The president even points this out in the speech, saying, "America changed for you and for me," and I think that would be huge for Dr. King to see today. A black president? Unheard of 50 years ago! Obama delivered the message for this anniversary on his own agenda, but through the first half and ending Dr. King's voice still can be heard resonating in the speech. I agreed that there is still a long way to go, but we are much closer then we were then the time before, even if segregation still looks bad in society today.
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ReplyDeleteI believe that President Obama's key points in the speech he had made would be best highlighted as the following, equality, progress and consistency. I think that he definitely got the message across to those listening to him, that we as Americans, should be a uniform country, developed and FORMED by our differences -not SEPARATED by them. People come in all shapes and sizes, and I think Obama did a good job promoting the idea that no matter what shape or size you are, you should be rightfully accepted as an American. I also believe that he, with constructive criticism, spoke about our country's progress. He did this by speaking about history, with shame upon our past and present inappropriate behaviors, and with proud celebratory remarks about our past achievements. The important part of this key point was, however that he spoke about our future with a hopeful, bright and promising outlook. At this moment he made me feel as there truly was a purpose for his next point; consistency. President Obama addressed his nation with our problems, goals and solutions- but I don't think he brought up the reasoning behind this until later in his speech. That's when he put wrapping on the present- motivation that served as a tool to propel us into action. We see a present, but we don't know what's underneath the wrapping until we bring ourselves to open it. That's what I truly enjoyed most about President Obama's speech; he gave us the project, the tools and most importantly, the realistic idea of why we should get ourselves out there into the world and work. It is as if he promised us a tangible pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, he was truthful by telling is it most likely won't be perfect, it won't be full - but then he reminds us that any gold is always better than being broke. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this speech because I hadn't been able to watch it on the television with all my homework. I'm glad I got to read it and really catch up on what's happening in my country. Cool beans.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I was inspired by Obama's words of wisdom. I thought that Obama's parallelism towards the end of his speech really echoed his message: that each one of us Americans, young or old, have the power to and have to make changes in the racial situation today. Although we all are under different circumstances, I thought Obama did a great job of pulling together situations that citizens of the USA can relate to in order to help the average person understand his message better. He effectively wove the past into the present, and how it impacts us today and has yet to impact us. The speech connected to me on a personal level and inspired me. Evidently, the president has a lot of respect from Martin Luther King. The President's address was a Martin Luther King speech from the future, addressing our unfinished progress in equality today. Personally, I thought Obama's speech was well-written and inspiring. We've come far, but as Obama said, each and every one of us must keep working towards ending discrimination and inequality in this nation.
ReplyDeleteAs the 50th memorial of the remarkable speech that changed history for not just blacks, but any minority group I feel as if there is still alot of discrimination towards different minority groups, mainly blacks and latinos. Dr. King would be pleased with the progress that has been made so far, but he would also realize the ways away we are from total equality. Dr. Kings charisma and spirit for what he belived in was what made the difference in how he spoke. He spoke with such passion that that is why people were so drawn to him. Obamas speech I felt commemorated and reminded us about the remarkable man and the remarkable things that Dr. King did.
ReplyDeleteThis speech was about the March on Washington's effect on America. The speech talked about how freedom couldn't be acquired as a gift. It had to be earned by the people that wanted it and that suggesting anything else would be suggesting that all of the people that died for civil rights died in vain. But that is not true because it does have an effect on everyday people today. People assume that blacks don't have it any better but the economy has slowly gone down the drain. African Americans have gone with it. They are just like everyday Americans with the same types of jobs as any of us and that was all accomplished yesterday all of those years ago. This speech was about how far we have come for all of those who sacrifices their life, liberty, freedom or anything else to get us to where we are today. It was honoring all of those people who stood up for what they believed in and followed what they believed was moral and just.The U.S government will do everything in their power to keep wages and jobs and anything else they can just and equal. They are commemorating the March On Washington and the "I Have a Dream" speech with talking about how America has come so far even if we aren't fully unjust, we are pretty darn close.
ReplyDeleteI feel that President Obamas main point is that the March on Washington had a big impact on the US culture.No one would be where they are today, with the freedom they have today, without the bravery shown by the men and women in the march to Washington. President Obama was talking about how their bravery payed off and helped make equality possible and Dr. Kings speech topped it all off. With out their efforts, we would most definatley be very behind in equal rights.
ReplyDeletePresident Obama talks about what the March on Washington was all about. He talks about all of the hardships that the protesters went through to get there. He talks about how nothing today has really changed since the "I Had a Dream" speech, that there is still so much racial inequality in America despite how Martin Luther King Jr. gave his life for freedom, along with countless other important men and women. Most importantly though, President Obama talks about how we the people are connected to everyone who marched during the March on Washington, and its true. Everyone in some way, marches. Marches to a better future, a better tomorrow. We march for equality, for our children and are country. Above all, we march for ourselves.
ReplyDeleteIt is so amazing that Dr. Martin King Jr's speech, "I Have A Dream," along with his protests, boycotts, and his overall movement can affect our life today along with our history. I think this shows how confidence, motivation, and doing anything for what you love and dream, can happen only if you put the work in. King's legacy will always be remembered because of his determination and impact on our daily lives.
ReplyDeleteI think President Obama's key point is that African Americans had a very tough life in the 60's and MLK Jr. helped them through that. Martin Luther King changed people's lives. He was an idol, inspiration, and role model. MLK Jr. changed the way we live today, he sculpted our future. Without him African Americans would might have still been treated very poorly.
ReplyDeleteI think that one of Obama's kep points was the fact that the blacks chose a different path. They moved away from violence and towards peace. Instead of giving up they went towards peacerful protests and boycotts. Instead of lashing out in violence they willingly went to jail. They didn't want to cause such drama and make such a scene, so they went towards a more peaceful direction. This all makes me wonder one thing. Why? Why did they chose this direction? Why didn't they choose to lash out in anger? They had the right to be mad, they had the right to lash out, they had the right to just give up, but the thing is, they didn't. They didn't get angry, they didn't lash out, they didn't give up, they had faith, and that faith brought them here today, to a 100% intermixed community.
ReplyDeleteMartin Luther King Junior was without a doubt not only one of Americas Greatest Heroes, but among humanities greatest champions. He enveloped all that can be great about people. That against hate there can still be love, against war there can be peace. That against generations of prejudice and dehumanization, that we as a people could rise above the hatred of centuries to unite under a common flag of freedom!He believed that no matter what the odds, the American spirit of justice and equality can eradicate any amount of evil. He not only meditated himself to these morals, he spoke to millions of other angry people tired of being looked down upon. These people, desperate enough to the point of near revolution, he spoke to and made way not for a violent revolution, but a peaceful reconnaissance of American way of life. Though his dedication and eventual sacrifice of his life towards his message of human spirit, Martin Luther Kings dreams have been not only fulfilled, but expanded by all of those seeking peaceful change.
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ReplyDeleteThe other piece about Mr. Obama's speech was very interesting as it showed both the good and the bad sides of his speech. On one end he was talking about how they have come so far, and on the other hand as Barack Obama said, the goal of the civil rights movement has "fallen short" from their original goals. They have gone along way but prejudice still is involved in a normal day in the U.S. I was thinking along these lines when i was reading the speech but it did change my opinion a little more negatively than I originally thought.
ReplyDeleteThroughout his speech, President Obama recognized the hardships endured and the improvements made by those who marched fifty years ago, but also acknowledged that America can still work towards creating a more equal country. He spoke of the state of schools and of the fewer job opportunities available to people of all races. Additionally, he stressed the fact that these things can only be improved through compassion and understanding, not greed and hatred. Much can still be done to truly make the country equal, and I like that the president acknowledged that.
ReplyDeleteI believe that it is so amazing that only one person could leave such a significant impact on history. This speech from Barack Obama shows how determined Martin Luther King Jr was. I think that it is unbelievable what Martin Luther King Jr accomplished and how monumental the effects have been on the United States of America as a result of his actions.
ReplyDeleteThe way Obama wrote this speech was very intriguing. He talked in a sequential order, first he discussed about the Civil Rights Movement and finally ended up to our problems in present day. During the Civil Rights portion of his speech he mentioned about the four Birmingham Girls, Rosa Park and many other iconic heroes. But surprisingly, he didn't talk too much about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his I Have a Dream speech. He touched upon this subject at some points but there never was a designated time or space where he talked just about Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech. I found this to be very interesting since after all Obama's speech is dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr.'s I Have a Dream Speech. Barack Obama also compared 1963 to now, how there are still many similarities in life now when compared to 1963's problems. For example although the discrimination now is not as vigorous as it was during Dr. King's time. There still are various cases of discrimination around the world. Not necessarily towards black people but also towards gays. Where many of the challenges black people in the past had, gays now face. Many countries have revoked common rights for gay people. Rights such as marriage and if we keep on going down this path, eventually they'll end up being treated like the Jews in the Holocaust.
ReplyDeleteAccording to President Obama, we are
masters of our fate, we determine what the future holds. I agree with him, if we don't change our stereotypical views and continue going in the direction we think right, just because we're afraid of what's in the dark. America will be back to the start, where we discriminate against those who aren't so called "normal". I also agree with President Obama as to having young people march and making adults start thinking more like children. Or in other words have a more open mind to many of today's issues. Since adults are no longer in a classroom environment or in a place where opinion are constantly talked about, they are most of time cut off to only one side of the story. Kids, however, are more open to ideas and stories, because they're in a space where they have to look at both sides of the story. They have to listen to their classmate's and teacher's opinions about modern day issues. Adults are completely cut off to this experience. President Obama's speech in my opinion was spot-on as to the information he covered. The one topic I wish he had spent more time on or allotted a special time for was reviewing and comparing the I Have a Dream speech to modern day issues.
The editorial on 'The Second Dimension' just reinforced Obama's key points, but saying that Obama was pushing the people toward movement for racial equality and justice. The 'arc of the moral universe' was again said by Obama in the words of Dr. King, and was remade by Obama to show that change would only come by the people. I agreed with most of the points, but really believe that Obama is dis including the people in the government, putting upon the full weight of this problem in America on the people. I still believe the government has some tilt in this, but the author is correct (in my mind) that for the most part the solution relies on the people.
ReplyDeleteThe editorial didn't give me so much of a different perspective of Obama's speech. Although, what I do like about this editorial is the fact that they said that it wasn't just about justice, there was so much more to it, such as economics. Jobs. People need jobs in order to make money, and in the 60's that was very hard for blacks, so, although justice was most definitely at stake here, it wasn't just that. It was so much more.
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ReplyDeleteNow I completely understand everything the New York Times Editorial was writing about- but I mean...Really? Truthfully, if my perspective was any more glued to reality I would have gauged my eyes out and ripped my brain out through my sockets. Reality is boring, (Yes, I believe that the very tangible world we live in- is boring.) and I think that way because it is a cynical world we live in. Without the curiosity in our minds which take us to fictitious places, we would have no imagination, no creativity, we would stare at the bigger picture of the universe and blink as we would stand baffled by our inability to understand. We have two eyes, just like we have two ears. Why is that? Because humans have two perspectives, the stone-cold scientific, "I see a cloud," one, and the imaginative and wonderfully creative one which says, "I see a big wad of fluffy pillow stuffing which I wish the wind would sweep me up onto and let me bounce upon its surface like a trampoline." Anyhow...That's what this article is- a reminder and an eye-opener of our alternate perspective- and why would we want to look through that when we have to 90% of the time. COME ON NEW YORK TIMES. LET ME SEE THE HOPEFUL ARCHING RAINBOWS SPROUTING UPON AMERICA'S LAND BESIDE OUR PLANTS OF LABOR, EQUALITY, JUSTICE AND FREEDOM- WHICH WE CAN CHOOSE TO GO OUT TOMORROW AND HARVEST! Not the ugly version of America you remind us of!
No it did not give me a perspective of the President's speech. Although, I did agree with his points that MLK JR. sculpted the way we live life today.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it changed my perspective. Each artical said that his speech was life changing and that Obama loved to quote Dr. King. And Dr. King helped push this nation toward equality for all.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the editorial, I believe that the author's point was very valid. Obama's emphasis on the inequality in the economy was for a reason. First off, the majority of workers in upper-class jobs such as doctors and lawyers come from a white background. I think that part of this reason is that many African-American neighborhoods do not have access to high-quality education. Going forwards, we must work on helping all races to have the privileges that we enjoy at Deerfield High School: a quality education. The author of the editorial did not touch on this, but what stuck out to me was when the author discussed the economic struggle these days for African-Americans in the job market. Improve the education for African-Americans, improve their chances of obtaining jobs that are hard for them to obtain today.
ReplyDeleteOn the Anniversary of Martin Luther Kings historic Speach, Our first African American president stood on the same spot that that great Warrior of peace stood. He addressed the great success of Martin Luther King Junior in securing equal rights and freedom for all. On the other side, Obama addressed the goals not yet reached, such as police discrimination as well as economic insecurity not only being prosecuted again black Americans, but against the impoverished people of all America. While this is still no the dream, we are now at least fighting on the same side.
ReplyDeleteThe editorial did not give a different perspective from Obama's speech. Yet it introduced a new topic, economics, while still focused around Martin Luther King Jr's main theme in the "I Have a Dream" speech.
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