History quiz

What is an example of juxtaposition in a famous speech?

In Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, he effectively employs juxtaposition to emphasize the profound contrast between the reality of racial discrimination and the aspiration for equality. Here's an example of juxtaposition from the speech:

Juxtaposition:

> "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

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> "...But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination."

In this passage, King juxtaposes the lofty ideals of equality enshrined in the nation's founding documents with the persistent reality of racial inequality and oppression faced by African Americans. By placing these contrasting ideas side by side, King highlights the gap between the promise of America as a land of freedom and justice and the lived experiences of marginalized communities. This juxtaposition amplifies the urgency of addressing racial injustice and underscores the necessity for transformative change.