Dreams for an Equal Future

The ‘60s were a decade of racial segregation, protests throughout the United States, and new beginnings for the African American ethnicity. Boycotts were established all through the South. Lives of many were cut short due to violence. Laws were established to project civilians. Several leaders took the stand for the rights of the African Americans, such as Martin Lither King Jr, a pastor, activist and humanitarian. King was well-known for his work and improvements to the African-American Civil Rights Movement (Bobleter). King’s famous, “I Have a Dream”, speech impacted not only the audience he spoke to that day, but generations to come.

On August 28th, 1963, a hot, humid Wednesday, a crowd gathered in front of Abraham Lincoln’s Monument after the long March on Washington to watch as Civil Right Leaders spoke on equality and justice. Many of the speeches given that day have been lost in time, but one affected the course of history (O’Rourke). Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech entitled, “I Have a Dream”. “ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. finally stepped to the lectern, in front of the Lincoln Memorial, to address the crowd of 250,000 gathered on the National Mall.” (Kakutnani). The words he spoke to the large crowd would push for equality for all races in the United States.

As King stood in front of the thousands of non-violent protestors he began speaking of what it was like being a person of color during the 1960’s, a time of harsh, cruel actions set out against the African Americans. King said, “the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination” (King). King had previously prepared his speech, however; halfway through it a voice erupted from the crowd. “Mahalia Jackson…shouted out to him from the speakers’ stand: “Tell ’em about the ‘Dream,’ Martin, tell ’em about the ‘Dream’!” (Kakutnani) At that point, King laid aside his writings and began improvising; he began describing his dream of what would come for America.

His thoughts on society at that point in time turned into his hopes for the future generations to come. “[H]e turned from a sobering assessment of current social injustices to a radiant vision of hope — of what America could be” (Kakutnani). The speech he was giving turned into a sermon and the silence on the steps on Lincoln’s Monument soon became echoes of “amen” and “preach, Dr. King, preach” (Kakutnani). Dr. King spoke of his dreams for the future of the black community; dreaming of days to come where his fellow Americans could be united, rather than segregated by color. He said, “With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day” (King). Dr. King utilized visions set forth in the Gettysburg Address and Declaration of Independence to show the underlining meaning of all men were created to be treated equal (Kakutnani). His final words were, “Free at last, free at last; thank God Almighty, we are free at last.” His dreams that one day the African American race can shout of their freedom (Kakutnani).

King’s “I Have A Dream” speech created a drive for the Civil Rights movement in the days to follow. It helped build popular support from lawmakers and politicians (Weber), encouraging change and equality within all aspects of life. “King’s plea for an American dream that would extend to all citizens, regardless of race” (O’Rourke). Pressure was placed on John F. Kennedy, “encouraging the president to push for civil rights laws to pass through Congress and become recognized on a national level. It helped push for the Civil Rights Act, which banned discrimination in employment and public areas based on nationality, race, color, or religion. A few short years later the Voting Rights Act was set in place to restore and protect the rights of voting for every citizen despite race, color, or religion (“What Did MLK Do”).

As King addressed the protestors he began his speech with, “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). Little did he know his sermon spoken that day in Washington would carry on for many years to come. That little kids, from all backgrounds, would echo the “I Have a Dream” speech throughout classrooms. Students everywhere are taught about his remarkable speech and the lasting impact. His remarks left a lasting impact on society, he foresaw a country where freedom rang from corner to corner; however, he did not know a black president would give a speech on the 50-year celebration at the exact spot he addressed equality (Kakutnani).

Today Americans honor King on what is known as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and his accomplishments are talked about within classrooms all throughout the country. As you explore the United States you can find his name found in many Civil Rights museums, who’s recognized for his cry for a more humane and equal world (Bobleter). His dreams for equality opened the eyes of many from all aspects of life and encouraged a change for the future for all.

Works Cited

Bobleter, Katie. “Martin Luther King Jr. and His Impact on Today.” College nannies+sitters+tutors, Jan. 2015, https://www.collegenanniesandtutors.com/blog/title/martin-luther-king-jr-and-his-impact-on-today. Accessed 20 Nov. 2016

Kakutnani, Michiko. “The Lasting Power of Dr. King’s Dream Speech.” The New York Times, 27 Aug. 2013, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/us/the-lasting-power-of-dr-kings-dream-speech.html. Accessed 20 Nov.2016

King, Martin Luther, Jr. “I Have a Dream” American History, http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/documents/1951-/martin-luther-kings-i-have-a-dream-speech-august-28-1963.php. Accessed 20 Nov. 2016

O’Rourke, John. “MLK’s “I Have a Dream” Speech- 50 Years Later.” BU Today, 26 Aug. 2013, http://www.bu.edu/today/2013/mlk-i-have-a-dream-speech-50-year-anniversary/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2016

Weber, Peter. “4 Big Accomplishments of the 1963 March on Washington.” The Week, 28 Aug. 2013, http://theweek.com/articles/460682/4-big-accomplishments-1963-march-washington. Accessed 20 Nov. 2016

http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/05/us/march-on-washington-fast-facts/

“What Did Martin Luther King Do to Progress the Civil Rights Movement?” Your Dictionary, 2016, http://biography.yourdictionary.com/articles/martin-luther-king-progress-civil-rights-movement.html. Accessed 4 Dec. 2016