Literature

Mandela and King Speech, a Comparison
    The inaugural speech of Nelson Mandela and the “I Have a Dream” speech of Martin Luther King ring of freedom. In both cases they talk of suppression of their people and the need for freedom. They inspire us to look at the issues and feel the needs of their people. The methods in which they deliver these speeches are quite different, however. What they desire to accomplish with their speech is in many ways the same but the situation in which they must deliver it is different. In this paper, we will attempt to understand what those differences are by comparing the two speeches.

    Martin Luther King gave the “I Have A Dream” speech on August 28, 1963. He talks about the history of his people and the need to be treated equal. He tells us that the Emancipation Proclamation proclaimed freedom for the black man. However, he tells us, that freedom has never happened. He says that the Declaration of Independence has given us all, everyone of color or white, the right to the pursuit of happiness and the right of liberty (King, 1963). He now demands in his brilliant speech that black people are truly freed to pursue happiness and this would mean jobs and better civil rights legislation. I cannot wonder what he might think today with President O’Bama in office.

    Martin Luther King is a very inspirational speaker. Reading his speech alone makes you want to join the march. Some of us have actually heard the speech on the history channel and it inspires us at every note. He has a voice that inspires you to listen. His message is well thought out and well delivered. It is very emotional. I believe it must bring tears to the eyes of any of those who listen whether they are black or white. I was especially impressed with the visual effect of the statement, “America has given its colored people a bad check, a check that has come back marked “insufficient funds” (King, 1963). This is the kind of visual ability he has with his words. He also repeats, “I Have A Dream” many times throughout the speech. This is a man that already has the respect of his people and many others. “I Have A Dream” even today brings us back to that speech.

    The Inaugural Speech of Nelson Mandela was delivered in May of 1994. Nelson Mandela attempts to bring his people to the belief of a better life. He talks about the way they all feel about a country that has been torn apart (Mandela, 1994) and has many things to accomplish. He tries to motivate his people to move past the pain of their past so they can build their future. He is very visual in his attempts to do this by using such words as “each of us is as intimately attached to the soil of this beautiful country as are the famous jacaranda trees…” (Mandela, 1994). There has been a change in their country including the release of Mr. Mandela from prison. He has chosen to fan the flames of this change and move his country forward.
    Nelson Mandela does not inspire in his speech quite like Martin Luther King. His words are more fatherly in their feel. Mr. King’s words are much more fiery. Mr. Mandela wants his people to understand that they are all important to their country, no matter what their origin. Mr. King, in a sense, segregates his people in order to show that they have not been treated fairly.  Nelson Mandela’s speech feels more like a prayer while Martin Luther Kings, a rousing sermon.

    “We have triumphed in the effort to implant hope in the breasts of the millions of our people” (Mandela, 1994). “We dedicate this day…”(Mandela, 1994). Through this speech Mr. Mandela joins his people together in an attempt to further the needs of the country as a whole. He inspires them to remember their dedication to the country the love and to work together to move forward.

    In conclusion, the two speeches are really quite different in many ways, though each was given at a time when their people most needed them. Marin Luther King gave a strong rousing speech that feels more like that of a rebel or a Preacher lighting the fire under his people. Nelson Mandela spoke more mild and through he inspires his people to come together, he does not attempt to build a fire. The situations and times under which the speeches were given were different yet it is interesting how closely the need of the people appears to be.