Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the civil rights movement from 1954 until his assassination in 1968. One of his most famous speeches is titled "I Have A Dream." This speech was delivered on August 28, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. and it has become one of the most iconic speeches in American history.
The Beginning of The Speech
The speech begins with the famous phrase "I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation."
King acknowledges that the Emancipation Proclamation was signed 100 years earlier, but African Americans were still not free. He states that they have come to the nation's capital to cash a check, meaning that they want to access the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that were promised in the Declaration of Independence.
The Dream
King then begins to describe his dream for America. He envisions a country where people are not judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. He dreams of a day when all Americans, regardless of their race, will have equal rights and opportunities.
He speaks of a time when the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit together at the table of brotherhood. He dreams of a day when his four children will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
The Call to Action
King then calls on the people to take action. He urges them not to engage in violence but to rise up and demand their rights peacefully. He encourages them to continue their struggle until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.
He also calls on the government to take action. He demands that they pass a civil rights bill and end segregation in all areas of society. He reminds them that they cannot wait for justice to come on its own but must actively work to make it a reality.
The Conclusion
The speech ends with the famous line "Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, we are free at last." King expresses his hope that one day his dream will become a reality and that all Americans will be able to live together in harmony and peace.
The speech had a profound impact on the civil rights movement and has become a symbol of hope and inspiration for people around the world. The message of equality and justice that King delivered in his speech is still relevant today and serves as a reminder that the fight for civil rights is ongoing.