Question

to what is the speaker most closely referring with the phrase withering injustice in the passage below (paragraph 2)? five score years ago, a great american, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the emancipation proclamation. this momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. it came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity. a. the experience of enslaved africans before the emancipation proclamation b. the weather on the day of the march c. the cruelty african americans continue to experience in the present d. the personalities of the politicians who were in power during the speakers time

Explanation:

The passage is about the Emancipation Proclamation and its significance for Negro slaves. The phrase "withering injustice" is used to describe the situation of slaves before the proclamation. Option A refers to the experience of enslaved Africans before the Emancipation Proclamation, which matches the context. Option B is incorrect as the passage doesn't discuss weather. Option C is about present - day cruelty, but the passage focuses on the time before the proclamation. Option D is irrelevant as the passage doesn't talk about politicians' personalities.

Answer:

A. the experience of enslaved Africans before the Emancipation Proclamation