Martin Luther King Jr.'s Speech On The Vietnam War, 1967

In Martin Luther King Jr.’s, “Speech on the Vietnam War, 1967” he audaciously criticizes America’s contribution in the Vietnam War, in hopes of encouraging citizens to protest against the war through irony, rhetorical questions, and allusion. King’s effort for racial equality shows in his speech as he includes irony in lines 38-40 when talking about forcing black and white men to fight in the war. He states, “So we have been repeatedly faced with the cruel irony of watching Negro and white boys on TV screens as they kill and die together for a nation that has been unable to seat them together in the same schools” (152 King). In this quote King provokes a feeling of inequality among listeners because the American government agreed to segregation of the races, yet they didn’t mind sending them off to die together. This quote shows the unfairness that African American soldiers had to face, they were forced to fight and die for a country that denied them of their rights. The statement speaks volumes about the American government and shows the unequal treatment
also makes sure to shine a light on the Vietnamese people and not just the soldiers. In lines 182-188 he includes rhetorical questions that place listeners in the shoes of Vietnam citizens. He asks, “What do they think as we test our latest weapons on them, just as the Germans tested out new medicine and new tortures in the concentration camps of Europe” (155 King). King’s use of rhetorical questions provides listeners with a new perspective, allowing them to realize how Vietnam was hurting those who lived there. He goes as far as comparing the U.S government to Nazi’s. This quote shows an ugly side of America and points out the government contradicting itself, they look down on Germany yet committed the same atrocities. The statement is eye-opening to say the least, it shows how the country had stooped to such a low level that it was mimicking Hitler’s practices against innocent