On the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, Barack Obama spoke about the dreams that Martin Luther King Jr. and the thousands of people who marched with him had for the future of the United States, but he also acknowledges that what we, as Americans, must do to achieve these dreams. this dream. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable qualities. rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. To begin, Obama alludes to the Emancipation Proclamation written by Abraham Lincoln, the first man of many to have the “flame” burning within him for freedom. Obama goes on to say: “In 1963, nearly 200 years after these words were written, a century after the struggle and proclaimed emancipation, this promise – this truth – has not been kept. » Even if Lincoln had said these words, little was done to actually make it happen. Second, Obama conjures up images in depicting the journey to Washington, DC: “Across the country, congregations sent them off with food and prayer. In the middle of the night, entire blocks of Harlem came out to wish them well. » Those with less money hitchhiked or walked with the group of protesters while others drove to their destination, Washington. The protesters included seamstresses, metalworkers, teachers, students, cleaners and more. The march was not only made up of black people, but also white people who supported black people throughout the march. “And then, on a hot summer day, they gathered here, in the capital of our country, in the shadow of the Great Emancipator.” Obama once again recognizes Abraham Lincoln as “the great emancipator” who, without them, would not be here that day. “But we should remember that this day also belonged to these ordinary people whose names never appeared in history books, nor on television.” Obama is no exception to the fact that some people are still angry about the way they were treated. Many had gone to segregated schools and lunch counters. They lived in towns where they couldn't vote and in towns where their vote didn't matter. They were couples in love who could marry, soldiers who fought for a freedom abroad that was denied them at home. “They had seen loved ones beaten and children thrown into fires, and they had every reason to lash out in anger or resign themselves to a bitter fate. » Another rhetorical strategy used by Obama is repetition throughout the speech. The first sign of repetition is when he says "Because they marched" to make it clear that if this march had not taken place, not only blacks, but also women, Jews, Asians and others others would still be treated as second-class citizens today. . Damn! Obama wouldn't even be president. Another example of repetition comes near the end of the speech, where Obama explains what we can do and what people are already doing to help realize MLK Jr.'s dream. He says, "The tireless teacher who arrives early in class, stays there late and dips into her own pocket to buy supplies because she believes every child is in her care – she walks. » And also: “All those who achieve.”