Compare And Contrast Penn Warren And Robertin Luther King Let Freedom Ring

Valencia Thomas
Mr. Kyle Taylor
ENG 1101 MW 10:25
9 September 2010
Let Freedom Ring Dr. Martin Luther King and Robert Penn Warren were two public figures that were both adamant about the issues of racism. Dr. Martin Luther King was directly affected by racism because he was a black man and Robert Penn Warren indirectly because he was a white man. Both affected differently but equally were desegregationists that were against hatred.
In Dr. King’s speech, he states that even though the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in order for Negro slaves to be free, it is unfortunate that hundred years later Negroes are still suffering from discrimination. In his speech, Dr. King emphasize that this unfairness is seen in our society on a daily
basis when African Americans are not given the same rights and privileges others.
Dr. King’s dream is that ‘’the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.” His desire was that the many states that were filled with hatred would be “transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.” Dr. King wanted his “four little children to live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” He wanted all men to be treated fairly and equally.
Dr. King addressed clearly, in his “I Have a Dream” speech how there was definitely a division between the black and white communities. His dream was that all of God’s children would be able to know and enjoy God’s freedom. In Dr. King’s speech, he is mainly addressing the black and white groups of people, but his message of freedom and justice is for all people no matter their race, background or ethnicity.
Even though Dr.
King was disappointed with the unfair treatment of blacks during that time, he was determined to make a stand for what was right. He wanted what was written in the Emancipation Proclamation to be a reality for Negroes. Dr. King said that “when the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir.This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men would be guaranteed the “unalienable Rights” of Life”, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” The reason he was willing to sacrifice his life was because America has fallen short in fulfilling this goal for people of color. We as black people today are happy that Dr. King and many others refused to “believed that the bank of justice is bankrupt.” Since this is the land of opportunity and freedom, we refused to accept this negative fate. Dr. King said that “we’ve come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.” In the essay written by Robert Penn Warren, he claims that it was not right for a young white man to be jerked off the stool to the floor and kicked simply for participating in a sit down protest with Negro students. He claimed that the three photographs robbed him of his identity. The fact that the young man was mistreated deprives Robert Warren of his own citizenship. Penn Warren is stating the point that if Negroes cannot sit on the stool and the young white man cannot sit on the stool, then no person can sit on the
stool. Robert Warren’s desire is that all people are treated equal. His point is that “as we deny a right to another person, we have taken the first step toward denying all rights to ourselves.” In the essay, Episode in the Dime Store, Penn Warren addresses the attitudes of the white community. “A young Mississippian, of a planter family, said there’s not going to be any academic freedom or any other kind if we don’t watch out.” He emphasized that he was a segregationist, but he does not want anyone saying he cannot listen to somebody talk about something. In other words, if the black community can be pushed and forced to tolerate things, then the white community is also in trouble if they decide to go against the evil society. Again, this attitude of “hoodlumism” applied to all people, but in this essay it mainly addressed black and white people.
Robert Penn Warren believed that everyone that fought against the evil of desegregation would also be punished. So the question that should be asked should be, are all men truly free? He knew that anyone who wanted to make a stand was in danger being persecuted.
Dr. King and Robert Penn Warren both wanted all men to be treated equally and fairly. Dr. King suffered and had seen many Negroes suffer. Penn Warren felt that he was suffering indirectly along with Negroes and the white man that was jerked off the stool. He believed that if any race of people suffered then all were in danger of being mistreated.