Martin Luther King’s speech
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Student Steele
Prof. Victoria Lague
LIT 2120
24 October 2014
The Courage of Two Men
Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” motivated America to
become a country of equal opportunities for people of all races and gender. President Barack
Obama’s “First Presidential Inaugural Address” was an historic address to the nation as he began
his journey as the first African-American President in the United States of America. The two
speeches show the men’s courage as they met the challenges of their times.
The courage that King possessed and Obama currently maintains are what great leaders
are made of. Courage is what allows a person to face danger, clear obstacles, and overcome the
difficulties that comes between them and their dream. King wanted African Americans and other
minorities to have equal opportunities to prosper in America. Obama’s dream was to become
President. Without courage King would never have stepped to the forefront of the Civil Rights
movement. Nor would Obama have ever run for the presidency. The courage that King
possessed was like one of the mightiest lion in the jungle. That courage allowed him to face
death threats without concern for his own life. Obama’s courage gives young African-Americans
today the confidence that they can go on to become whatever they want to be.
King was one of the most courageous people to ever grace the earth. “I’ve Been to the
Mountain Top” shows the courage that most people never obtain. Dr. King had been attacked
before. As he relates in his speech, while he was in New York autographing books, “[A]
demented black woman came up. The only question I heard from her was, ‘Are you Martin
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Luther King?’ And . . . . the next minute I felt something beating on my chest. Before I knew it I
had been stabbed by this demented woman . . . . that blade had gone through, and the X-rays
revealed that the tip of the blade was on the edge of my aorta, the main artery” (para. 37). But, he
continued his work after his recovery. Apparently, the attack left him with the knowledge that
the threats could easily become more than mere words and lead to his demise.
Later in the speech, King says, “And then I got into Memphis. And some began to say the
threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick
white brothers?” (48). Kings quote shows that he knew of the death threats made against him, yet
still had the courage to live life as if he had not a worry in the world. King did take those threats
seriously as King says, “And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life.
Longevity has its place” (50-51). Those words indicate that he felt as if he was going to die soon
and he was fine with it. The most courageous part of the speech is the part that King says, “I may
not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the
Promised Land. And I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any
man” (51). He did not change his schedule and was murdered the next day.
President Obama shows the kind of courage as King in reaching for his goals and his
dreams for America. Barrack Obama states in his First Presidential Inaugural Address that
“every so often, the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms” (para. 2). He knew
the rough times that the country was going through and had the courage to become President and
work at address everything that was wrong with America and everything that challenged the
nation. He knew there was a lot to do. He goes on to say, “Our nation is at war, against a far-
reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of
greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard
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choices and prepare the nation for a new age” (4). Later, he added, “For everywhere we look,
there is work to be done. The state of our economy calls for action.” (16). He knew the kind of
the work that came with the Presidency and had the courage to run for it and take on that great
responsibility. However, Obama was sure of the country’s ability, stating, “All this we can do.
All this we will do” (17-18) and also knew that success depended on “honesty and hard work,
courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism . . . . They have been the
quiet force of progress throughout our history” and called for “a new era of responsibility” (30).
He was sure of the country’s accomplishment.
Being the first African-American President during such a rough time in the economy
would be too much for most men to handle. The act of running for Presidency in itself is a
courageous act, especially as an African-American. Without the changes that came to the United
States after the work of Dr. King and other activists, and without the legislation that followed,
Obama’s Presidency would not have been possible.
The “First Presidential Inaugural Address” was given by a courageous African-American
and filled with emotions and exuberant courage. Obama is the fruit of King’s and other civil
rights activists’ labor. “I’ve Been to the Mountain Top” is one of the most courageous speeches
of all time. No one embodies courage more than King himself. To look at a death threat straight
in the face and not back down is a brave thing. He was the face of the Civil Rights Movement
and will always be seen as the catalyst to the equal opportunities that America has today.
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Works Cited
King, Jr., Martin Luther. “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop.” American Rhetoric. Michael E.
Eidenmuller. n.d. Web. 23 Dec. 2014.
Obama, Barack. “First Presidential Inaugural Address.” American Rhetoric. Michael E.
Eidenmuller. n.d. Web. 23 Dec. 2014.
Honor Code: I Charles Steele confirm that this assignment is my own work and that I have
documented all sources that were used in this essay.
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