Unit 3 Post

           In Unit 3, we read many speeches that were defining moments in history.  In their respective times, such speeches such as Patrick Henry’s “Speech from the VA Convention,” Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” and Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream,” turned the tides and defied great odds.  They revealed certain duties that different individuals have in their society.  These duties varied slightly from person to person, but some common responsibilities  included establishing principle within a society and also fighting for that very principle in the individual's own way.

Patrick Henry spoke about the principle of freedom.  During an era when America was torn between two nations, he used rhetoric as a tool to make people realize and to rally them behind the Patriot cause.  “Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not” (Henry).  He recreated his own understanding about the situation and by spreading his insights, he allowed many people to side with his point of view.  Abraham Lincoln was able to a very similar thing during the Civil War.  Once again America was divided, and Lincoln called on the ideals of responsibility and liberty.  “…that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom --and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth” (Lincoln).  He convinced the people of the Union to continue to fight on behalf of the fallen soldiers and on behalf of freedom.  He inspired goodness and passion within people - a very powerful combination.  Lincoln knew his own obligation as well as the rest of society’s; he stated it aloud so that it could not go unacknowledged and overlooked.  He called attention to it and thus, did his part.

Lastly, King was a leading voice in the Civil Rights Movement in America, and changed the nation forever.  He not only spoke for the principle of equality, but also the principle of forgiveness.  He advocated a cause but at the same time urged for his supporters to approach it in the right manner.   “There is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred” (King).  By demonstrating this conduct, he avoided race war.  He allowed peace to prevail over violence, and forgiveness to prevail over vengeance.  He did his part as an individual by doing the right thing and manifesting moral character not only with his words but with his actions.

Personal obligations will always vary from person to person.  Therefore I do not believe there is one set standard for individuals to follow by.  I think what individuals ultimately owe to their governments however is personal awareness.  They need not be blind to the government’s needs, nor the government be blind to the individual’s needs.  All positions have their advantages and disadvantages, their powers and limitations.   There were things Lincoln could not do as President, but those things that he could do he acted on them to their greatest potential.  The same goes to King and Henry; although neither of them started with high authoritative power, they recognized their capabilities as everyday civilians and erected great inspiration.