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John F Kennedy's speech is one of the most significant speeches of the 20th century. His address to the nation on June 10th, 1963, was delivered at the height of the Civil Rights Movement and formed part of his campaign for racial equality. Kennedy’s speech was not just a call for civil rights, it was a rallying cry for Americans to rise up and take action. Kennedy made an impassioned plea for justice and for his fellow Americans to reject violence and hatred, and to embrace a new era of peace and equality.
The five best examples of John F. Kennedy’s speech include:
1. ‘Let Every Nation Know’: These words were some of the most powerful and iconic of Kennedy’s speech. He declared that every nation should know that the United States is committed to civil rights and justice. He declared that “in the final analysis, the most basic question is, will we be citizens of a great nation, or of a small group of bitter men? Will we be builders of a peaceful world or harbingers of a more savage future?”
2. ‘The Moral Issue of Our Time': In this powerful excerpt, Kennedy declared that racial injustice was the moral issue of our time. He asked Americans to reject hatred and prejudice, and to reject complacency in the face of injustice.
3. ‘A Great Change': Kennedy declared that through determined action and commitment, a great change could be achieved. He declared that “now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.”
4. 'A Newer World': Kennedy proclaimed that a new era of hope and freedom was within reach. He declared that the United States could be a leader in creating a newer world, and that “those who hoped that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual.”
5. 'I Have a Dream': Kennedy’s speech concluded with his famous “I have a dream” passage, which echoed Martin Luther King Jr.’s words and encapsulated the hope and optimism of the Civil Rights Movement. He declared that “all men are created equal” and that justice could be achieved by working together.
John F. Kennedy’s speech is a powerful example of a leader using the power of words to inspire and motivate. His address has been widely quoted and studied over the years and continues to be an inspiration to people of all ages.