It has to be reckoned by one and all that text provides the scope for interpretation on the part of the readers, instead of being rigid in comprehension. Major factors like contextual difference, subjective perspective and cultural difference can come to play their part in making people interpreting speeches or texts in various ways. One can take into consideration the speeches of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Barrack Obama that vary in time and space in the context of American society and politics so as to gauge the differences in perspective toward comprehending their respective speeches. A close introspection of the mentioned speeches would enable one to have a much better understanding of the matter in context.
One can take the speech of Malcolm X who was a hardcore representative of the black community of the United States that was being oppressed by the hegemonic while community of the society via systematic violence that had been institutionalized in the country. Now, if this text is read by a black person, he or she would definitely be able to relate to the impediments faced by the community, the individual would definitely relate to the speech much more than someone who has only heard or read about the societal impediments of the black community. On the other hand, one might take into reckoning the speech by Martin Luther King Jr. This seminal speech titled, “I have a dream” comes across to be extremely arousing and passionate in its approach. Thus, while the speech by Malcolm X deals with the stern attitude that is called upon against the white community of the society. It has to be noted that both these speakers are talking about the oppression and subjugation of the black people, but they have different perspectives and approach. While one is quite an extremist in his outlook, the other is not.
However, these speeches can be compared to the victory speech of Barrack Obama in 2012. Now, this speech differs much in time and space in comparison to the other two speeches in context. One can very well comprehend that the times and the scenario in the society have changed by 2012. His speech is aimed to reach out to the entire American society. While Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. talk about a specific community that was marginalized in the past with regard to the societal condition in the United States of America, Barack Obama who won the Presidential election gives a victory speech. His speech echoes his vision and he represents all the communities of the country. It needs to be reckoned in this context that Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. were noted leaders of the black community and they were fighting against the injustices meted out to the black people. The blacks were not given equal rights, respect, or position in the society. However, with the passage of time the societal transformation in the United States paved way for Barack Obama, the first black president of the nation after so many years of struggle and sacrifice.
Now, it is truly important to note that all of these speeches conform to the ways defining the characteristics of the genre. It has to be noted that both the speeches of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. are aimed at persuading the masses and instilling them with conviction and courage to come forward and stand for their cause. As such, both of these speakers go on to use persuasive elements like ethos, logos and pathos in the course of their speeches. Talking about Elijah Mohammad, Malcolm X goes on to say, “when I heard him say if 10 million of us die, there will be 10 million of us left to enjoy freedom.” (Malcolm X 1) One can understand how the speaker uses pathos in this speech as he evokes the dream of freedom despite the sacrifices of the black people. On the other hand, Martin Luther King Jr. says, “Let freedom ring from the snowcapped mountains of Colorado. Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.” (King Jr. 6) Thus, he uses hyperbolic statements so as to evoke the emotions of the listeners. Obama goes on to say, “It moves forward because of you. It moves forward because you reaffirmed the spirit that has triumphed over war and depression, the spirit that has lifted this country from the depths of despair to the great heights of hope, the belief that while each of us will pursue our own individual dreams, we are an American family, and we rise or fall together as one nation and as one people.” (Obama 2) It needs to be noted that the President is endeavoring to communicate with the audience by directly addressing them. Even he uses the persuasive techniques in his speech.
It has to be reckoned that all the three speakers conform to the parameters of persuasive speech. All of them address the masses of the society. These speeches can be interpreted in various ways after the passage of time (or if they are read in a different socio-cultural milieu), but they relate to the passion and emotions of the people of the times when these words were spoken by the respective speakers. After so many years, the speeches have become historical documents that represent the very essence of the socio-cultural ambiance of the United States of America. The speeches have the innate expression of the societal struggle of the black community, their emotions and the subsequent changes that have come over the years with Obama becoming the first black person to be the President of the United States of America.
Works Cited
Malcolm X. “1000 in Harlem Cheer Malcolm X.” The New York Times. The New York
Times, 23 March 1964. PDF.
King Jr., Martin Luther. “I Have a Dream.” Martin Luther King Jr. n.p., 1963. PDF.
Obama, Barack. “Audio and Transcript: Obama’s Victory Speech.” NPR. npr.org, 2012.
PDF.
