The charisma that characterizes Dr. King’s speeches is what makes them so effective. In this blog I will discuss effect of his speeches upon his listeners. I will also describe the strategies used to spread his ideology and implant his theory into the mentally of his followers, thereby I will demonstrate how the practice of non-violence is related to the power of speech based on two of Dr. King’s speech; How Long? Not Long! in Alabama in 1965 and the Last Speech in 1968.
How Long? Not Long! is a remarkable moment in Dr. King’s motivational campaign against segregation and interracial issues in the United States. His speech is not to raise violent feelings among the black community but to open their mind towards a more just society. King is establishing a revolution into the mentality of the people of color. His message does not invite them to reverse the system but to change it, in order for them to fit in, without having to be humiliated.
The language Dr. King used also played an important role in his campaign of non-violence. His gestures as well, when he is giving his speeches, are among the factors that touched the autonomic nervous system of his audience. King didn’t only sensitize his listeners through charismatic speeches but brought God into their struggle. He placed their faith on the spot as a guide to their battle; arousing thus deep feeling such as joy and confidence. When he placed his hand in the air and evoked the name of God, this is a sign of blessing. The repetition of this phrase as well had a powerful meaning to his audience “do it for him”. This refers us to the ideology of the agape love level. He is not preaching his people to be non-violent because he believes in this concept but he is calling them to be non-violent against their oppressor and also love them because God loves them and because the universe is on the side of justice. This is a call to spiritually regardless your religion, because his struggle assembled a wide range of religions.
Another remarkable speech which had influences his followers is the one he gave before he got killed in 1968; the Last Speech. In this speech Dr. King is more than ever deep into his struggle. The tone of his voice changed, but not because he got mad; it changed because he implicitly evoked that he knew his time will come soon and he could not see this freedom. But his willingness to suffer for those he loves is more important than the satisfaction of this desire. Yet the confidence he had already spread into his audience and followers is significant. When he said: “I have seen the promised land”, this prophetic address of Dr. King to his people is a message to strengthen their faith even if he knew that it’s going to be hard to get there. Martin Luther King was confident that the battle will continue until they reach this land of peace social respect and good will.
