One thing I miss about America is the unity, unified regardless of our differences. Maybe America has always been like this and I was too young to care. It seems the country is over sensitive about pretty much everything. I'm not old enough to know desperate times like the Great Depression where neighbors had to unite. Where they depended on each other just to survive. The Civil Rights Movement where oppression forced our nation to unite because we stand for "liberty and justice for all". Nor have I had to truly endure some great hardship that would force me to the deepest darkest places of submission. I have by no means had a simple life, but not one I would consider too much to handle. "One Nation Under God" no longer carries a unifying call of freedom, rather just another topic to be debated, because our freedom allows us to question the foundation it was built upon. After all it is our freedom to do so.
Why does it take a catastrophe to unify us? Why is it that we are only able to take a step back and see through someone else's perspective only after something goes wrong? Regardless of why, America will (if it has too) set aside it's differences and unite.
Reich's Cultural Parables
The Mob at the Gates, for me, was the parable that stood out the most in this speech. "This depicts America as a beacon light of virtue in a world of darkness, a small island of freedom and democracy in a perilous sea. We are uniquely blessed, the proper model for other peoples' aspirations, the hope of the world's poor and oppressed. The parable gives voice to a corresponding fear: we must beware, lest the forces of darkness overwhelm us. Our liberties are fragile; our openness renders us vulnerable to exploitation or infection from beyond". MLK reminds us what America stood for. His dream was the definition of America, and everything that makes America, America. His dream was reminding all Americans that they were failing to live up to what we stand for.
Process Premise
MLK's speech was inspirational then and it still is today. The needs- Sense of Power, Sense of Roots, and Belonging are the foundation of his speech. He engages Sense of Power, that we have the power to make a difference. Sense of Roots; this is America we have always stood for freedom. The movement gave the American people the sense of belonging.
For me pride, happiness and joy were the driving emotions of this speech. Pride of who we are and where we came from. Dreams are dreams because they make (or would make) us happy. By seeing his dream fulfilled America would be a greater, happier country.
Analysis
It only took 5:17 to inspire the nation. 5:17 to inspire the nation to stretch their thinking and deepen their understanding. It amazes me that we have come so far as a nation, some good, some bad, but this speech can be applicable for any time period. If it can be applicable for any generation then you know it cognitively and emotionally drives us to reflect on what we can do (behavior) to change for the better.
Taylor, fantastic selection and wonderful analysis. I watched Cindy' s Benevolent Community selection of George Bush on the evening of 9/11 right before this, and I was asking myself the same question you asked here, " Why does it take catastrophe to unite us?" Amazing what can be communicated in 5 minutes- glad you chose this.
ReplyDeleteI agree Taylor, great analysis. We are not the same country we once were. We do not have the same American spirit. It would be nice to get back to those times, there is a little sense of the Rustic for you. :)
ReplyDeleteClassic. This would have been an interesting time to live in but makes me wonder how I would have acted. This country definitely needs to be more unified and not so worried about cultural sensitivity. Why does it take dramastic events to change our mind? We forget where we are and who we are, America(n). Great analysis.
ReplyDeleteAs Spencer has mention I too agree that we are not the same nation that we once were. I think we can all say that we have a dream that is very similar to this one. Our nation has come through many of struggles some good and some bad. Those dreams of Rev. Martin Luther King have maybe not all come through. But we are still changing and making a difference.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this with us. It is good to remember that we are not the same nation. Thank goodness! We have changed! It's important to acknowledge however that we can still do some more changing.
This speech was iconic in so may ways. I must admit that I don't think that I ever listened to this speech in its entirety. All men are created equal. This speech made me think about a lot of stuff. If we could just look on the heart and the character of people rather then the color of their skin. This was a brilliant speech that should have united our nation. The words are true for sure. MLK was a very smart man. Great post Taylor. This made me think of the recent happenings in the nation dealing with the shootings and looting. I didn't want to take a away from such a great speech but it got me thinking...Maybe we as a class can discuss it at a later time.
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