Summary
The speech “I have a dream” by Martin Luther King narrated with empathy and wisdom American’s long fight for fairness. In the first part of the speech, he noted that he had a dream, focusing on America’s history. King stated that America had several promises which were not met. He indicated the importance of the protest’s time and place: the Lincoln memorial, a hundred years after Abraham Lincoln’s liberation proclamation (King, 1963). Martin Luther identified the emancipation vision foretold by Lincoln but stressed that African-Americans were still not free from poverty, segregation, and injustice a century later. Even though American culture emphasized a universal right and freedom to liberty, life, and happiness, this vision seemed a “bad check” for the African Americans (King, 1963, p. 2). Justice and equality are scarce resources and it calls for collective responsibility to ensure people are treated equally and fair justice served.
Additionally, King reiterated the need for making immediate changes rather than delayed approaches to progress. It is true that not until America responds to the black Americans’ needs will peace be found in society. Indeed, King ordered the black citizens to abstain from brutal protests and hatred as a way of realizing justice. Following King’s ambitions, all Americans should enjoy the favorable fruits of independence. Later in the speech, he spoke of the need for a dream as the state would one time live up to its founders’ expectations that everyone is essential and all people are equal. According to King (1963, p. 4), “everybody should have a dream as judgment cannot be based on people’s skin color”. With the vision, Americans could make their country a nation of brotherhood.
Definition of Terminologies
By uttering the phrase “fierce urgency of now” (King, 1963, p. 4), King meant that every person should exercise impatience in the event of imminent catastrophe. Indeed, people need to refrain from time wastage and hesitation when responding to severe problems (Kelley, 2017). They should avoid slowing down reforms; it should be “solve it now” and “there is no more time-wasting”.
America had asserted to accord equal rights of its citizens: the right to happiness, freedom, and life. King (1963) asserts that, “when the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the constitution and the declaration of independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir” (p. 1). King (1963) argued that “it was in the public domain that America had defaulted to honor its promises to the citizens” (p. 3). According to King (1963), America failed to pay up the promises it made to people of color. The African-Americans were still not free from poverty, segregation, and injustice. Even though American culture emphasized a universal right and freedom to liberty, life, and happiness, this vision seemed a false hope for the Blacks.
Indeed, no one can walk alone; people need one another in their struggles. As in the speech, “The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny” (King, 1963, p. 3). King (1963) indicated that “in as much as there are color differences and misunderstandings between the white Americans and the black Americans, there is still a need for togetherness as they would depend on each other” (p. 3). It is essential for everyone to understand that regardless of the variation in color we are one people.
Discussion of the Speech in Public Schools
The American public schools find it difficult to teach on slavery in America; the theme in the first part of Martin Luther’s speech. Therefore, elaborating on the fact of American slavery in the schools is ignored because teachers are less prepared and the information is not comprehensively incorporated in textbooks (Foster, 2003). The pain of exploring American issues may be unbearable to students. What is more, it presents denial, guilt, and ignorance. I believe that it is not suitable for students to be taken through the personal stories of the victims of slavery in America, the violence and cruelty they endured.
Current Relevance of the Speech
Martin Luther King’s speech is still relevant in the current world. It is essential to note that today’s society still faces challenges similar to those faced in America’s past. The address offers solutions to the problems that any country can encounter. Of specific significance today was King’s advice to the people not to dine “from the cup of hatred and bitterness” but instead “conduct their struggle with the highest discipline and dignity” (King, 1963, p. 3). The level of segregation, inequality, fights, and lack of justice in today’s context is disappointing.
Many countries thrive on false promises from the political class. Citizens do not get the rights that they are entitled to. “I have a dream” is an iconic speech that has been ideal since it was delivered by Martin Luther King many years ago. The strong expressions about his desires communicate a profound message on the need for equality, justice, and change. His style of narrating leaves an aching desire for listeners to think of a difference.
References
Foster, G. A. (2003). American slavery: The complete story. Cardozo Public Law, Policy, and Ethics Journal, 2, 401-402. Web.
Kelley, K. (2017). Martin’s dream day. Simon and Schuster.
King, M. L. (1963). I have a dream. Research and Education Institute. Web.