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• inequalities faced by African Americans 100 years later. King urges his audience to seize the moment, and that the struggle for equality must be conducted with dignity and discipline. He dreams of a future with racial harmony, and justice. The speech ends with a call to “let freedom ring” across the nation.
• Alicia Garza’s Speech (Various): Garza’s speeches and writings often focus on the systemic nature of racism and the need for transformative change. While a specific “signature” speech comparable to King’s “I Have a Dream” isn’t readily available, her work emphasizes the importance of Black self-determination, the need to address state-sanctioned violence against Black people, and the power of collective action. Garza’s work stresses that movements are not begun by any one person, and acknowledges the indigenous people whose land the movement takes place on. Her speeches highlight the continued violence against black people, and the need to reimagine safety. She emphasizes that Black resistance has changed the landscape of what is politically possible.

2. Comparison of Leadership, Charisma, Power, and Passion:

• Similarities:
  • Both King and Garza are/were powerful orators who used passionate language to convey their message.
  • Both demonstrated strong moral convictions and a commitment to social justice.
  • Both inspired large groups of people to take action.
  • Both are/were charismatic leaders who could connect with their audience on an emotional level.
• Differences:
  • Style: King’s style often drew from the traditions of the Black church, incorporating soaring rhetoric and biblical allusions. Garza’s style is often more direct and grounded in contemporary language.
  • Focus: King’s “I Have a Dream” speech focused primarily on racial integration and equality under the law. Garza’s work often addresses a broader range of issues, including intersectionality, systemic racism, and state violence.
  • Era: King’s leadership emerged during the Civil Rights Movement, a time of legal segregation. Garza’s leadership arises in a different era, one where systemic racism is often less overt but still pervasive.
  • Organizational structure: King was the figurehead of the SCLC, and was the central leader of the Civil Rights movement. Garza is one of the co-founders of the Black Lives Matter movement, which is a decentralized movement.

3. Impact of Location and Messaging:

• King’s Locations: Speaking at the Lincoln Memorial and in churches gave King’s words immense historical and moral weight. The Lincoln Memorial, symbolizing freedom and equality, provided a powerful backdrop. Churches were centers of Black community and activism.
• Garza’s Platforms: While specific locations vary, the Black Lives Matter movement has utilized social networking and various avenues to relay messages. This allows for rapid dissemination of information and the mobilization of a broader, more geographically dispersed audience.
• Messaging: The core message of fighting for Black lives and against racial injustice remains consistent. However, the specific issues addressed and the strategies employed have evolved to reflect the changing social and political landscape. The means of conveying the message has also changed, with social media playing a much larger role today than in the 1960s.

4. Audience Comparison:

• Similarities: Both King and Garza spoke/speak to audiences deeply affected by racial injustice. Both appealed/appeal to a sense of shared humanity and a desire for a better future.
• Differences:
  • King’s audience at the March on Washington was largely physically present and included a significant number of white allies. Garza’s audience is broader and more diverse, connected through social media and various forms of activism.
  • Garza’s audience is more diverse, and includes people from many different backgrounds, and not just black people.
  • King’s audience was more focused on legal equality, while Garza’s audience is focused on a broader range of issues, including systemic racism, and state violence