Perspectives

Historical perspective

Lyndon B. Johnson’s “We Shall Overcome” speech to the United States Congress was delivered during the Civil Rights Movement. The Civil Rights Movement of 1954-1968 was a period of nonviolent activism meant to end racial discrimination and segregation in the US. In his 1965 inaugural address, President Lyndon B. Johnson presented his goal to fight for democracy and the freedom of all American citizens, no matter the color of their skin. 

On March 7, 1965, protestors led by civil rights leaders John Lewis and Hosea Williams were…

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Textual perspectives

It would be useful to look at the “I Have a Dream” speech by Martin Luther King, one of the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement in the US. In his speech, King promotes and supports racial equality, and also encourages peaceful protests. King also addresses politicians whom he tries to convince to create the legal framework for equal civil rights. His 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech is considered an important element that helped pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which makes racial segregation illegal. 

Barack Obama’s Selma speech also looks at the impo…