Question

Read the excerpt from Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity. But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. Question Why does Dr. King allude to the Emancipation Proclamation in his speech? Responses The allusion demonstrates Dr. King's belief that equality was achieved with the Emancipation Proclamation. The allusion demonstrates Dr. King's belief that equality was achieved with the Emancipation Proclamation. The allusion indicates to the audience that enslaving people was always illegal in the United States. The allusion indicates to the audience that enslaving people was always illegal in the United States., The allusion reminds the audience that 100 years have passed since the Emancipation Proclamation, yet inequality still exists. The allusion reminds the audience that 100 years have passed since the Emancipation Proclamation, yet inequality still exists. The allusion reflects Dr. King's importance since it refers to another important figure in American history: President Lincoln.

Answer 1

Dr. King alludes to the Emancipation Proclamation to emphasize that a century later, the goals of equality it represented had still not been achieved, reinforcing the importance of the civil rights movement.

Step-by-step explanation:

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, alludes to the Emancipation Proclamation to highlight the historical importance of the document and underscore the persistent issue of racial inequality even after a century. King points out that despite the proclamation, which was a significant step towards ending slavery and was meant to be a beacon of hope, the promise of freedom had not yet been fully realized for African Americans. This allusion serves as a powerful reminder to his audience of the long struggle for civil rights and emphasizes the need for continued action towards equality.