Introduction
Discrimination is the core problem in the United States, but in recent years people became more tolerant, and sharp conflicts do not exist in society anymore. Black people became equal members of the American society and looking at the facts of the social adoption of the black in cultural and political life are the main confirmations about this. On August 28, 1963, from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in front of over two hundred thousand civil rights supporters in Washington, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech calling for equality and an end to racial discrimination in the USA. I believe that after one hundred years from the time the equality of black and white people was announced by the Emancipation Proclamation, there is equality among all people, prejudices, and discrimination about the black people in the United States of America has decreased greatly and the dream came true.
Civil Rights Movement
For Martin Luther King Jr. a dream was an ambition amid Civil Rights Movement, a dream that was informed by the prevailing racial divide in the America of the 60s. The dream carried in his speech demanded social justice towards the mistreated black community of America. Having been freed from the yoke of slavery, the black man encountered segregation and discrimination and hence in the eyes of King was not free yet:
But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free; one hundred years later, the life of the negro is still sadly crippled by manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination; one hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty amid a vast ocean of material prosperity (King par.3).
He spoke of an American dream in his speech: a dream of total equality. It can be argued that he preconceived an American society where whites and blacks could live side by side, work together, attend school together and develop the country together. Martin Luther King’s dream was rather simple, no sandcastles were invented in his dream, he just wanted: that “this nation will rise and live out the true meaning of its creed: all men are created equal”, that “even the state of Mississippi… will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice”, that his “four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin” and that all people in the USA will be able to say “Free at last! Free at last!” (King par.17)
The equality and the absence of discrimination
The equality and the absence of discrimination was one of the main dreams of Martin Luther King, which came true in modern American society, the law forbiddance of discrimination and prejudiced attitude to black people became real in the USA. Martin Luther King’s dream has come true partially, as there is no direct and overwhelming discrimination of black people in the American society, but if to look deeper, the problem exists. But still, the number of cases discrimination of against black people is much lower. The rights of white and black people in business and politics became equal. The examples may be African American personalities such as Collin Powel and Condoleezza Rice, who have taken their place on the political stage. In the past, black people were not allowed even to have their personal opinion, they were forbidden to visit social events and other facilities. What is the modern tendency? Black people are free in their opinion and their behavior. Their political speeches are listened to and agreed upon, America’s representation by the black personalities is a great step in the direction of release from the discrimination of black people and consideration of them as equal members of their society. One of the main steps of the USA in the direction of democracy and freedom for all was the day of the elections in 2008. This day is considered to be the most notable day for all Americans, as the person of color, Barack Hussein Obama, was elected as the 44th president of the United States of America. This day will be remembered for a long time as it shows that American society is ready to perceive the freedom of all people and that the prejudiced relation to them is left far behind. Listening to my grandparent’s stories, I see that one hundred years ago such a political situation could never exist. Even comparing my parents’ stories, where black people tried to be degraded, the modern situation is different.
Present situation
Considering the social position of the black people in the past and watching on the present state of affairs, the black Americans have the same rights as the white. I see now that school attendance is allowed for all, the colleges and Universities are also for all, and white ad black people now may sit at one desk in the educational establishments. The marriages of black and white people are not strange affairs, but the common state of things. I have some friends who are dating and the color of their skin is different. Going to college I have a great many black people around me, who are great ones and I can never discriminate against them, as some of them are my friends. The acts when black people are discriminated against still occur, but their number is not so big (once I saw how several young white people outraged the black one because of his color of skin). The black people have the same rights in the hospitals and the business as the white people. Black people in the modern world can become famous and rich. Oprah Winfrey is the richest black person in the world, and the only black billionaire from 2004 till 2006. The current example shows that black people may also be successful in modern life, which was impossible some years before.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Martin Luther King’s dream has come true, people became equal in their social, political, and cultural rights. Martin Luther King may be sure now that his children and grandchildren live in the free world, and they are treated according to their actions and abilities, but not according to the color of their skin. Black people, like white ones, may receive education at the same colleges as white, there may lead business and become successful, the political life in the USA is provided with the help of black people, such as the President of the USA, Barak Obama, Collin Powel, and Condoleezza Rice. The real movements in the direction to the freedom for all are observed, but, as it was stated above, the problem is solved, but not to the full extend. The cases of racial discrimination still exist, and they must be fought over. Severe punishment must be provided on those, who discriminate against black people, as the color of the skin is not the identifier of the personal identity, does not show people’s interests and attitudes to others, and may not be considered as the main factor in understanding a person.
Woks cited
King, Martin Luther. I Have a Dream. Lincoln War Memorial, Washington DC. 1968. Web.