TODAY marks the 60th anniversary of the “I Have a Dream” speech. FROM a communication perspective 3 things to take note and remember:
- I use quotes for the famous title of this speech because the first half and the second half of this speech are not both the DREAM speech. The first half uses several financial metaphors and is an interesting speech. It just wasn’t the speech those 100,000 came to DC to hear on that summer day.
- You can actually see the moment MLK shifts into the DREAM. He closes his notes that he had been reading from-way-too-much and never looks down again. It is risky to leave your prepared manuscript. At this point MLK was a professional speaker.
- At the end of the speech he backs away from the podium and turns while he is still speaking. I don’t know why. This act proves no one has to be perfect to be labeled the best speaker of their century. #MLK #IHAVEADREAM
