Hannah Pressley

Comm. 101

Content and Relational Meanings

50 years ago Martin Luther King Jr. stood in front of the world in

order to convey his thoughts on civil rights, discrimination, and the

segregation between Whites and African Americans. Today Americans

continue to look back on this historical moment for inspiration and

guidance, yet without the television and recording of the I have a

dream legend, would King have gotten the same response he

received from the public?

First, I began by reading the infamous speech written 50 years

ago, proceeding to the third page I realized King had a way with words,

yet I seemed to be forgetting and rereading lines of the speech that I

had already finished. The power in his words was there, but I was

unable to connect with the speech as it continued. Feeling interested

and wanting to understand why this speech is so famous I continued

only to be left asking myself what pushed people to such a movement

after these words? How did these affect so many individuals?

After reading, I watched parts of the televised speech and within

only minutes I was astounded and realized immediately why everyone

saw this as such a monumental time and understood their

perseverance with the movement. I had forgotten all the questions

reading the speech had risen because I felt his passion conveyed
through his voice as he spoke, he had an eager determination pushing

him that I desired and admired. This speech allowed everyone to

connect with his feelings and stand alongside him as he made the

difference the world greatly needed. Thinking back, I can only imagine

how being a part of this unforgettable moment in history felt to the

individuals watching and experiencing the speech for themselves.

Unlike in the reading, I followed Kings train of thought and understood

how he was able to reach such a massive amount of people through

the relationship he made with them throughout his speech. Even

watching the speech so many years later I felt the struggle the African

Americans faced and saw why this reform was in such great need.

Although the content of the speech was well thought out,

heartfelt, and conveyed his dedication and passion; the relational

meaning was much more powerful and showed Martin Luther King Jr.s

determination to change the way African Americans were viewed in the

society and proved his dream. Thankfully this moment in history could

be captured on television allowing the world to relive this experience

and realize how times were during the reform, without the televised

version on the speech I do not believe it wouldve had the effect and

been such a well known speech. Since it was recorded people can

access it more frequently and feel the passion of Martin Luther King Jr.

and his enormous audience, also it allows people that werent there to

experience this could feel the energy of the audience and realize Kings
speeches importance. Through the content of the speech versus the

relational aspect King impacted more people and connected with all

individuals, White and African American.