It's definitely amiss for us that we've never featured a Reverend Jesse Jackson speech here before. We mentioned him in a graduation speech ban story some 15 years ago. And we do discuss his speech giving on our public speaking courses. But his death this week has stirred us into a late note of his speech giving oratory. Because whilst he's known for all his civil rights work over his lifetime, his speeches will always remain legendary. Not least because he proves that speech repetition always wins.
Speech Repetition Wins at Public Speaking
His speech repetition was always remarkable. Sometimes word pairs and sometimes longer series of words or phrases that he'd repeat. As an aide to Martin Luther King in the 1960s we'd have to guess that he had the perfect role model for such eloquence.
If you don't know what tomorrow holds, you need to know who holds tomorrow!
Speech Repetition in Civil Rights
His civil rights career made for some great speech occasions. But it was his Presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988 that really gained speech-giving prominence. No more so than his speech at the 1988 Democratic National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia.
And then America, as we go forth to September, October, November and then beyond, America must never surrender to a high moral challenge.
Do not surrender to drugs. The best drug policy is a "no first use." Don't surrender with needles and cynicism. Let's have "no first use" on the one hand, or clinics on the other. Never surrender, young America. Go forward.
America must never surrender to malnutrition. We can feed the hungry and clothe the naked. We must never surrender. We must go forward.
We must never surrender to illiteracy. Invest in our children. Never surrender; and go forward. We must never surrender to inequality.
His Presidential ambitions were thwarted in the 1988 campaign when Michael Dukakis became the Democratic party candidate. But Jackson proved the trailblazer for many others to follow, notably Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. And his 1988 Georgia speech remains a required watch.
A Repeated Pattern in the Speech
I understand. I wasn't born in the hospital. Mama didn't have insurance. I was born in the bed at [the] house. I really do understand. Born in a three-room house, bathroom in the backyard, slop jar by the bed, no hot and cold running water. I understand. Wallpaper used for decoration? No. For a windbreaker. I understand. I'm a working person's person. That's why I understand you whether you're Black or White. I understand work. I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I had a shovel programmed for my hand.
How You Can Use Speech Repetition in Your Public Speaking
There's a lyrical quality to speech repetition. So, you need to plan it carefully and practise accordingly. Because it's no accident when it works so well.
- 1Prepare your speech well ahead of time and build in repetition from the first draft.
- 2Emphasise and repeat the key points or messages.
- 3Practise and rehearse assiduously.
- 4Never surrender.
When you need more insights into great speakers and their speeches, you'll find plenty of case studies on this site. Plus, with more than 100 public speaking tips and top tips for speakers, there's something here for every public speaking need. And when you are ready to improve your own skills that bit further, then why not enroll on your own online public speaking course.
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