In the midst of civil unrest in the southern states, the succeeding paragraphs of King’s speech is another enduring appeal to the emotions. During those times, the Blacks were separated from the Whites. It is evident in the Negros being “crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination.”
Many are still unfamiliar of the racial injustice that was taking place at that time. In the 1960’s, especially in the southern states, there are separate schools for black and white people, everything is separate from the restrooms to the hotels, restaurants and churches to name a few. A lot of crimes were committed against the blacks. They feel that not much effort was being done by the government.
King lectured in the early part of the speech, not of an American dream but of an American nightmare which he wanted the nation to wake up from.
Most people focused only on “the dream” but the first part really was a recitation of the hardships of the Negroes. King used a lot of metaphors, contrasts and comparisons. A nation promoting equality while forcing Blacks to “ live on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity.” King spoke of “dramatizing a shameful condition.”
King likened their independence to a promissory note. “A promise that all men, yes black men as well as white men,would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty , and the pursuit of happiness.”
Inspite of this though, “the Negro people had a bad check… marked with insufficient funds.” What is
another significant tool used by King in his speech is the “calm to storm” effect. According to writer Keith Miller, King begins slowly and calmly then builds tension and calls for action, surging with emotions as if to warn the nation that the blacks will keep faith and continue to struggle.
King wanted them to believe that “the bank of justice is not bankrupt.” The Negro people “have come to cash this check.” He was there to explain the goals they have to achieve now and in the immediate future. King ended this part with the use of anaphora, starting his sentences with, “Now is the time…” King made use of this four times.
The next series would be a discussion on the “dream” that made this speech what it is today.