Doctor King’s sermon this week was very affecting in that his words resonated with his audience not only in a social sense, but in a religious sense. I chose to focus on this sermon as I believe that the spoken word, with its many fluctuations in pitch and volume can often be much more effective than words on a page. This is explicitly present in Dr. King’s sermon, as his experience with speeches and sermons given in the context of being a reverend allowed him to provide powerful and moving speeches just as he did in the context of something so personal and moving as religion.Doctor King’s sermon this week was very affecting in that his words resonated with his audience not only in a social sense, but in a religious sense. I chose to focus on this sermon as I believe that the spoken word, with its many fluctuations in pitch and volume can often be much more effective than words on a page. This is explicitly present in Dr. King’s sermon, as his experience with speeches and sermons given in the context of being a reverend allowed him to provide powerful and moving speeches just as he did in the context of something so personal and moving as religion.
The speech “But If Not” is particularly pertinent to this course, and the readings this week in particular, because it is obvious to see how King weaves his religion within the context of the Civil Rights Movement. King begins the speech as a pastor might- focusing first on the experiences of Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego, and how these biblical figures have inspired the idea of civil disobedience in the name of a higher power. Quickly thereafter, King relates this to the present struggle of the Civil Rights Movement, and the struggle of modern day civil disobedience. Both contexts share sensibilities– paraphrasing the reverend, they eschew one king in the service of The King. In the context of civil rights, it is rejecting the ideology of greater society for what one believes is true and right.
I would compare the emotional impact of this speech to that of Malcolm X, who also gave greatly impassioned speeches- but in a way which was wholly dissimilar to the didactic lessons of King.
