I Have a Dream – Martin Luther King Jr.

This historical and unforgettable speech was delivered by Martin Luther King Junior, a civil rights campaigner to a large crowd on 28th August 1963 in Lincoln’s Memorial Park, Washington DC. This speech was made on the occasion of 100 years of Lincoln’s emancipation proclamation which set the Negro slaves free from their slavery in America. In this speech king expresses that the people shouldn’t be judged based on the colour of skin but they should be judge on the basis of their intellectual capacity, wisdom and knowledge.

The proclamation had brought a great hope to millions of Negro slaves living in America. They hoped that there would be no more injustice based on colour of the skin and they wouldn’t be captive as slaves anymore. But despite the declaration after 100 years, the Negro’s are still victim of social segregation and discrimination and deprived from enjoying the equal rights promised to them by American constitution, America hasn’t kept its promises made to Negro people Martin Luther King hopes that Negro exile in their own country will get freedom and security soon. Martin Luther King stresses that the racial injustice weakness the foundation of America instead of strengthening it. He appeals his people that their movement shouldn’t be called off until their demands are met. He also appeals his people that their movement shouldn’t support physical violence, wrongful deeds, bitterness and king demands that

the black should have right to stay in the same school where the white children study, their social position must be uplifts and they should have voting rights. He inspires the black people to keep on fighting until they feel they are created equal.

Finally, king says that he has a dream that one day the Negro people will be able to enjoy the rights of freedom, equality and justice. He has to a dream that white and black people will sake their hands of brotherhood singing a sweet song liberty which will echo that his dream is fulfilled.

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About the text:

"I have a dream" is a political speech made by Martin Luther King Jr.  after the independence of black people. Martin Luther forwards the history of America, the problems faced by black people, suggestions to his followers, warning to the government and his wishes. He describe apartheid (discrimination on the basis of color) as the extreme point of human cruelty, and demands for its end.

History:

America was the colony of Great Britain before 1776. When it was declared independent, both black and white people had expected for their freedom and happiness. As expected, white people got access over then whereas black people didn't. They were discriminated and pushed to slums. They were not allowed to travel by any vehicle. Indeed, they had to spend the life of great difficulty. This condition created dissatisfaction among the blacks and they wanted to get civil rights. Martin Luther's speech also represents this sentiment.

Problems faced by black people:

The blacks, likes the whites had expected that their situation would change after independence of American. But it did not happen even after the independence. The hope of black people was not Materialized. They got neither freedom nor happiness. "The check" given to black people was not cashed; it was returned black with the mark insufficient fund so their condition remained the same they were not allowed to travel by any public vehicle; they were not allowed shelter in any motels; indeed they were not given any right.

Suggestions to his followers:

The present time, according to Martin Luther is the time to rise from the path of segregation to the path of racial justice. As it is the demand of time, no one should try to block the revolt of the blacks for their rights. the revolt would continue unless and until the demands are fulfilled. However, he advices that any means of violence should not be applied. He advised his followers to follow the path of non-violence. He further advised them to use their strength in creative works.

Warning to the government and his wishes:

He advice his followers to follow on the path of peace.  At the same time, he warns the government that there would not be peace if laws are not practiced accordingly. Their moment would shake the foundation of the nation; he wishes for the end of apartheid. He desire for the oasis of freedom in place of bondage. He dreams that the children would not be judged on the basis of their color rather they would be judged on the basis of their intelligence. Moreover he wishes for the prosperity of both black and white for the prosperity of nation depends on it.

Some of the dreams made by Jr. Martin Luther King in his speech “I HAVE A DREAM”:

1. He had a dream that one day his nation will rise up and live out with the true meaning of its creed holding the equality of all people living in U.S.

2. He had a dream that one day the hills of Georgia the sons of farmer, slaves(Blacks) and the sons of former slave owners (Whites) will be able to sit together at the table of brotherhood.

3. He had a dream that any children of any color will not be judged on the basis of their color of their skin but by their content or the caliber.

4. He had a dream that every individual will get equal voting rights including their citizenship rights equally in every states.

5. He had a dream that none of the Americans will be judged just by staying in the Ghettos or skyscrapers.

6. He had a dream that any state of U.S will be beyond injustice and oppression but will be transformed into a Oasis of freedom and justice.

7. He had dream that all above situations will be favourable and realistic where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and work together as sister and brothers.

Questions Answers:

1. What is the apparent (exact) purpose of the speech of Martin Luther King Jr.? Explain King’s analogy of bad check (cheque).

The apparent purpose of King’s speech is to get the black people their rights of freedom, equality and justice avoiding racial injustice based on color of skin. Although the constitution of America promises equal rights to its entire citizen, the black people have been deprived from enjoying the rights and get the victim of social segregation and discrimination. Therefore Martin Luther King Jr. delivers this speech demanding justice for the black people.

 King makes an analogy (comparison) between promises of an American constitution and a bad check. Though the constitution of America promises equal right rights to the entire citizen irrespective of colour and creed, America has failed to pay her black citizen the rights promised in the constitution. They are given bad check i.e. false promises by architects of American constitution. If there is insufficient amount in the bank out, the cheque of higher amount issued against this account is not enchased and returned unpaid such cheque is consider as a bad check. Similar way although the constitution of America guarantees the equality for all, the black citizens are turned down from getting justice in America. Therefore, king compares the promises made by the American constitution with a bad check.

Questions to be discussed:

1. What is the real dream of Martin Luther King about the future of America? [2065-5]

2. What is Martin Luther complaining about? [2063-5]

3. What is the dream Martin Luther King, Jr. has? How is he going to achieve it? [2061-10]