Question

Why does Dr. King say that the Emancipation Proclamation has proven to be futile?

Answer 1

President Abraham Lincoln decreed Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, according to which slaves in all confederate states then at war with the Union "forever free" and made them eligible for paid military service in the Union Army. Almost hundred years later in 1961 and 1962 King made multiple appeals to then-President John F. Kennedy to issue a second Emancipation Proclamation since the first one had proven to be futile. There was little change in the attitude of people and slavery was practiced as it was earlier. He sent a telegram to the President in December 1961 and called for "a second Emancipation Proclamation to free all Negros from second-class citizenship" in line with the 'defense of democratic principles and practices here' in the US. On 28 August 1963, King stood on the steps of Lincon Memorial to deliver his 'I Have A Dream' speech, he noted that the Emancipation Proclamation gave hope to black slaves. The following year Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as a concrete step towards fulfilling the promise of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Answer 2

According to the proclamation of 1st January 1863, pronounced by President Abraham Lincoln, the slaves in all confederate states were to be made free and were to given services in the military. This did not happen, and the plight of the slaves continued to thrive. There was no change in the attitude towards them, and hence he called upon for a second emancipation stating that "The proclamation of Emancipation' has proven to be futile, and justice has still been delayed and denied for the slaves.


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