Notes

In Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech, “What Is Your Life’s Blueprint?”, he demonstrates the heroic trait of inspiring others by helping teens around the world realize their worth. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was an activist and leader in the civil rights movement in the mid-20th century. During the first part of his blueprint speech, he says, “Don’t allow anybody to make you feel that you are nobody. Always feel that you count. Always feel that you have worth, and always feel that your life has ultimate significance” (King 15). Dr. King delivered a speech to students at Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia about how everybody matters and should not have to feel insignificant. Dr. King giving a voice and courage to these teens could have helped them out of a dark time in their lives, or possibly even inspired them to become activists themselves. Later on, in the second part of his blueprint speech, Dr. King tells the audience to work hard and do what they are determined to do. King makes an analogy comparing the audience to nature: “If you can’t be a pine on the top of the hill, be a shrub in the valley. But be the best little shrub on the side of the hill. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are” (King 16). King shares this analogy to show the audience that even if they can’t be the best, they should be the best they can be. King inspired many teens to try their best and pursue their dreams. Many influential people today were young when he made this speech who may have heard this speech and were inspired to take action on their dreams and be the best version of themselves they could be. In his famous blueprint speech, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. expresses the heroic trait of inspiring others by helping teens realize their worth. Teens around the world feel less shame for being different and are realizing their significance.