Obama vs. King

I agree that in both “A More Perfect Union” and “Letter from Birmingham Jail” there is a use of logos or logic to back up the claims made by both men. To add, they both use the logic in such ways that make both their stories interesting and insightful to the issue at hand. I would also say that Obama does use his story, his past, and his compassion to give an emotional aspect to his story that people have found way more passionate than King’s essay. However I would have to disagree with the opinion that most people have been saying that Obama’s emotional aspect better conveys his point than the ones that King uses in his essay. 

Although King does use mostly logic to support his claims he does also use emotional connections to show his perspective. He talks about being called “boy” and how his wife will never have the title of Mrs. because of the color of his skin. He also describes having to tell his children why white people are so mean to colored people, and ultimately he goes on with the wear and tear that people of color has to experience everyday in that time. King uses this paragraph to remind us just how horrible it is for people like him everyday to go through things such as that. It doesn’t matter that he uses more logic in his essay because we already know how bad it was during this time. Especially now looking back in our history. We don’t have to be told over and over again because we know it now; it’s in our history books and apart of our culture today in America no matter what color you are. 

While Obama's speech does seems to have both a logical and emotional standpoint that makes the reader feel more connected to what he is saying, I believe the subjects that are discussed in both essays are two completely different topics. So after reading both, it is hard to say who uses logic and emotion better because of the content they are talking about. 

Overall I would say King’s speech is more impactful because he uses his words carefully to convey a message that is now known worldwide. Obama’s speech makes you feel a certain way because he tries to relate to the reader on a “human compassion” type level so that when he tells his story you start to feel more connected. This is why I think more people feel more connected when they read Obama’s essay, but I believe you kind of have to take yourself out of it for a minute to really take in what is being said in both essays.