The Words That Changed America: The Power and Consequences of Rhetoric
“I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail.”
William Faulkner delivered those words in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1950 while accepting the Nobel Prize for Literature, but they continue to resonate today. Why do certain words outlive the moment in which they were spoken? Why do some speeches become part of America’s story?
This presentation explores how influential words have shaped the American experience. Through examples from Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King, Jr., Lyndon Johnson, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, and others, audiences will consider how leaders used language to respond to defining moments in American history. The discussion will also extend beyond politics to examine enduring public voices such as Lou Gehrig’s farewell address (“Luckiest man alive”), Neil Armstrong’s first words on the moon, and Jimmy Valvano’s unforgettable ESPY speech.
Rather than evaluating political ideologies or public policy, this presentation examines rhetoric as a window into American history, culture, and civic life. Participants will leave with a deeper appreciation for how language has shaped our nation’s past and with new ways of listening to the words that continue to shape its future. During the discussion, audience members will be invited to reflect on the words that have most influenced their own lives, making the presentation historically grounded and personally meaningful.
Speakers Expertise:
Dr. Marvin P. King, Jr. is an associate professor of political science and African American Studies at the University of Mississippi, where he has spent nearly two decades teaching and writing about American politics, political inequality, African American politics, federalism, and the politics of the American South.
A frequent speaker to local civic organizations, King regularly engages public audiences on voting rights, race, democracy, and political empowerment. His interest in rhetoric focuses on the power of words to inspire collective action, establish shared civic identities, repair (or deepen) political divisions, and influence how Americans remember their history.
King has practical experience with rhetoric through producing talks as the Founding Organizer of TEDxUniversityofMississippi, several of which feature on the TED.com platform. In 2023, King organized an Inclusive Economies Roadshow, a statewide initiative promoting public dialogue about equitable economic development.
King’s work has appeared in journals including Politics & Policy, the Journal of Black Studies, and Publius. In 2026, King will publish two books, Mississippi’s Mess and The Politics of Stratification Economics, which explore how political decisions and economic institutions produce and sustain inequality in Mississippi and throughout the country. He has also served as an expert witness in federal redistricting litigation, providing research and testimony on race, voting, and political representation.
