The Issue of Race in America – Bonus Assignment[1]

General information:

Due Date:  December 8 (no exceptions)

Points: Up to 30 points

 

 

 

On August 23, 1963 Martin Luther King delivered “I Have A Dream” on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln in August 1863.

On March 18, 2003, Barack Obama delivered “A More Perfect Union” at Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to an audience that extended beyond those gathered at the center thanks to television and the internet. His focus was on meaning of the U.S. Constitution.

Both men addressed directly the issue of racism in the United States.  Each shaped his remarks on his historical time.  In 1963, King reminded his audience that emancipation would not be complete until segregation ended. In 2008, Obama dealt with the issue of whether race --- the fact that he was black --- should be a deciding factor in his bid for the nomination from Democratic Party for president of the United States.

Assignment:

The objective of this assignment is to evaluate and compare the arguments made by Martin Luther King and Barack Obama. 

The following questions will guide your evaluation and comparison.  It is recommended that you make notes on these.

1.      What is the historical context for each of these two speeches?

2. What examples does King give as he answers his own question: “I have a dream”?
   
   
3. What examples does Obama give when making a case for the “more perfect union”?

Sources: 

·         Martin Luther King, “I Have a Dream”

• Barack Obama, “A More Perfect Union”

Essay:

 After reading and making notes on these two speeches, you are required to write an essay that addresses the following questions.

1.      What are the similarities and differences between the points on race made by King and Obama?  Be sure to include a brief statement of the historical context of each speech.

2. Do you believe racism still exists in the United States?