Dr. Martin Luther Kings I Have a Dream Speech in Three Frames - Essay Example

 Critique David King’s Reframing RFK High and Dr. Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream… Speech In Three Frames This report will critique David King’s reframing of Robert F. Kennedy High School, the case study from page 411 in Bolman and Deal (2008). By examining the school from each frame, King diagnosed the challenges faced at Robert Kennedy High School. The learner is able to determine if his diagnosis made sense and if his actions relied too heavily on any specific frame. Also considered is whether he missed any opportunities, and if his decisions were effective. His decisions will be reviewed against all four frames in detail. Beyond this critique, the report will explore Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have a Dream Speech. Examples will be provided of the Structural, Human Resource, and Political Frames from the video and transcript of the speech. This will exclude the Symbolic Frame as that information has already been provided per the instructions. As Bolman and Deal (2008) mention from his own unique and personal perspective, David King’s diagnosis makes sense. The reframing process, however, is different for every manager and leader as no two individuals look at a company from the same experiences, career path, education, beliefs, values, and interests. His recommendations made sense for the situation for him and the circumstances he was in at that point in time. He referenced his previous experience many times, but also referenced all four frames equally in his recommendation. It seemed as though, initially, he was relying much too heavily on the human resource frame to justify his actions, but as he later explained his thoughts more fully it became clear that he was considering all four frames. The opportunity he may have missed was explaining to the staff the issues related to structure he had observed, so that when dealing with the human resource tensions and conflicts rather than focusing on blaming one another or the details of what one person said to one another. He could have given them a little bit of analysis to divert the attention away from the people issues (Bolman and Deal, 2008). One of the benefits of understanding the Structural Frame, as an example, is that you know the concerns are not primarily the fault of the people. It seemed he spent the majority of his time delving into issues with the staff, which could lead some people to believe that administration was the primary problem. Appearances can mean a lot particularly when there is a change in leadership. His decisions were effective in the short run in that he calmed the situation down that was brewing between Carver and Dula, but in the long run there is a lot more work that remains to be seen. His stamina will be tested. From a Structural Frame perspective other possible actions that Mr. King might have pursued to resolve the challenges he could have begun his interviews with the administrators asking them more about the structure as they understand it or what type of structure they would like to see developed. He could have made some assumptions that with the number of problems the school had experienced prior to his joining, there were structural issues to begin with and launched into questions as to their thoughts, reassuring them that the true issues are not with the individuals. In other words, He could have done some homework in advance. His findings later of the lack of structure weren’t a surprise based on the previous symptoms of fighting and outright chaos. From a Human Resource Frame perspective other possible actions that Mr. King might have pursued to resolve the challenges would have been for each administrator to meet with him and express what they think needs to be done to bring the school back to what the original vision of RFK was. Rather than sit down with them allowing them to dump all their thoughts and make it more or less into a gripe session about one another, he could have prepped them better and guided them into more of what he needed and eventually wanted. Again, he could have made some assumptions knowing what the past problems have been. Assuming they lack a combined vision and goals, hence the fighting and the chaos, they had each come there for a reason and then work to determine what that reason is and what it would take to get back to what they came there to do. The Political Frame seemed to be Mr. King’s strong suit. In fact, the way he worked the coalitions, the personalities, and the formal and informal groups in this situation was admirable. He may want to bring in a contact from the school board simply to round out his network, but this is definitely an area that he is well equipped for the challenge. The Symbolic Frame suggests other possible actions that Mr. King might pursue to resolve these challenges were to continue the staff meeting, but with a focus on beginning to create a common vision. He missed an opportunity by allowing the first meeting to denigrate into an argument between two administrators. Rookie mistake, but he is not a rookie. He needs to use the next few meetings to rekindle the mission, vision, and purpose – why are they there and what does the school want to accomplish. It is a truly unique concept and the staff and students need to rise above the pettiness of the tensions that have gotten them all down. He needs to step his skills up a level and provide leadership and inspiration such as Dr. King provided in his speech discussed below. When we think of The Martin Luther King I Have a Dream speech we think of the power of symbolism and the Symbolic Frame perspective. The symbolism used by Dr. King can move us to tears. His beliefs are at the core of Kings’ being and come across in every word and gesture. However, the Structural Frame, the Human Resource Frame, and the Political Frame perspectives are also included as depicted in the video of the speech 17:28 in length. From a structural frame perspective, King conducts his speech in an organized fashion sponsored by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. His speech is not held haphazardly without an agenda. He talks of respecting authority and the hierarchy (Bolman and Deal, 2008; King, 1963). He makes references to the United States, the individual states of Mississippi and Alabama, never threatening to overthrow government or to create a rebellion but to work within those governments, even when there is disagreement, following the rules peacefully while claiming inalienable rights to freedom. The Human Resource Frame perspective is demonstrated throughout the video by displaying the massive crowd that is gathered and the fact that the crowd is all colors, genders, and ages and not just African Americans that were the primary audience. His theme was promoting diversity as Bolman and Deal (2008) discuss at length in the Human Resource Frame. He also emphasized that with the way things were in 1963 the “negro could never be satisfied” (King, 1963). This statement tells his audience that he understands the needs of the people and particularly looking at Maslow’s hierarchy per Bolman and Deal. The African American peoples’ needs will never be met if their basic rights to freedom and democracy are not allowed them. Their rights at work being denied them will never allow them to be fulfilled in what they do. They can never reach the top of the pyramid and achieve self-actualization as Maslow would attest to. There were comments from King related to leveraging democracy, dignity, discipline, and for such a large crowd it was amazingly peaceful (Bolman and Deal, 2008; King, 193). White people were sitting next to African Americans and everyone looked at peace and happy to be together. Dr. King had taken the time in advance to ensure he had the right people there and that the people there had the right attitude. The last thing he would want is conflict to break out. There had to be some thorough preparation in bringing the people together for this event. And from a Political Frame perspective, Dr. King used a number of politically hot phrases such as “racial injustice, for whites only, America is reneging on a promissory note to the negro,” and he referred to the Governor of Alabama as a “vicious racist” (King, 1963). While at the same time he claimed no violence and peaceful protests his language was riddled with what would seem like angry and inappropriate language, but in the context used by Mr. King, it simply served to make a contrasting point to his push for peace and request for what was rightfully the African American person’s to begin with (Bolman and Deal, 2008). This is a great example of the mixed-motive game that the Political Frame perspective and Bolman and Deal refer to on page 223. References Bolman, L. G. & Deal, T. E. (2008). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership (4th ed.). CA: Jossey-Bass. King, Jr. Martin Luther. 1963, August 28. I Have a Dream….,. March on Washington. Retrieved April 13, 2011 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk Read More