Thursday, August 28, 2008

I Have A Dream 45 years later

Today was the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr's famous "I have a Dream" speech. I listened to the speech in its entirety this morning and was blown away. The imagery and rhetoric was beautiful. You just don't hear speakers like that any more. Moreover, it was almost shocking to hear a speech with substance. He was actually saying something meaningful, so unlike today's politicians and pundits who never say anything.

I never realized how much traditional American symbology and imagery was incorporated into the speech. It had the effect (I'm sure intended) of showing that his position was the truly American one and that the racists and segregationists were not.

7 comments:

Graham said...

Maybe his dream will finally be fully realized if we actually are able to elect a democrat this time...

Shawn Klein said...

If you read more of my blog, you'll know that I don't agree.

Graham said...

I did notice that you are libertarian, but since there is not a libertarian candidate in the running, don't you think Obama is more likely to bring real reform?

I'm all for more parties having some representation in national politics, but I think the dems actually have a decent candidate this time.

Shawn Klein said...

Sadly, no, I don't think Obama would bring anything new from the Democrats. Everything he advocates and has voted for are the same tired policies: more spending, more government control, and more taxes. I see nothing in Obama that offers hope for liberty and individualism. (I don't see much hope for that in McCain either)

emergencyphilosopher said...

What do Martin Luther King, John F Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln have in common? They would all vote Obama if they were alive today.

Shawn Klein said...

You are probably right about JFK and MLK jr, but I'm not sure about old Abe. He was a republican after all.

Anonymous said...

I think Dr King may have been perplexed vote wise.He is to much on the moral plane.He saw the ills around as emanating from human nature itself,Like his Indian predecessor he believed that the people can evolve and that alone is progress