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Martin Luther King jr.
Dream. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream. A dream of freedom, of complete brother hood, the true American dream, the dream of full equality. King was one of historys most influential leaders of racial justice. King organized marches, speeches, and much more to motivate the Africans of America to fight for their rights. His political philosophy and strong beliefs helped lead our nation to the racial justice we have today.
Dreams
King speaks of the American dream in almost every speech. This American dream is a dream of total equality, a society in which whites and blacks could live side by side, work together, fight together, and attend school together. His most famous speech was the speech about this dream. The I Have a Dream speech was given on August 28, 1963 by the Lincoln memorial. (217 Dream) The entire nation came to plea for justice and freedom. Both black and white men and women gathered here on this day to hear Kings plea. To start this speech King refers to the founding fathers and their plea for freedom.
But one hundred yeas later, the Negro still is not free; one hundred yeas later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination; one hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity; one hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself in exile in his own land (217 Dream)
King makes this statement with such power; he shows that yes, America did get its freedom, yet it has taken away the freedom from a certain race. On this day they have gathered at the nations capitol to gain their rights. King compares this demonstration as coming to cash a check. The check of freedom is well due. (217 Dream) When the great leaders wrote the constitution and the declaration of independence they were signing a promise, a promise to freedom. Blacks have not yet received right. In a sense their check has been returned, marked insufficient funds. (217 Dream)
King refused to believe this, he knows that the nation can cash their check, he knows that they can give them their rights and freedoms. They are here to demand their rights, and there is no better time, and the Negro can wait no longer. (218 Dream) This time is urgent, for if freedom is not given soon the Negro will be come violent. This is the time to become all brothers in this nation. (218 Dream) King believes that if this nation does not grant these rights to the Negros it will be fatal. This will not pass and this is not man just blowing off smoke. This is the time for freedom and it must happen now. (218 Dream)
King states that this year is not an end but it is a beginning. Its the time that there is a rude awakening. There will be no rest until the rights are granted to these Negroes. (218 Dream) Kings words here show the truth and power that his people believe in. He is showing the nation that there is no time like the present to fix what is wrong. He reminds his people that they must not feel guilty for what they are doing, for it is not wrong. They are only seeking their rights and their freedom. King speaks of how whites and blacks can work together to help this nation. He uses the United States Army as an example. If we want to be powerful, we must unite together in a biracial army. We can not walk alone (218 Dream) King believes that there is no where to go but ahead, and that the march must every go forth. They have come this far and they can not turn around. King is asked the question When will you be satisfied? he answers it by saying
We can never be satisfied as long as we the Negro is the victim of unspeakable horrors of police brutality. (218 Dream)
Basically he is saying that once the Negros have the American Dream they will be satisfied. Negros will never be satisfied as long as they are the ones who are being beaten, the ones living in the ghettos alone, the ones with nothing for their children. (218 Dream) Negros want their children to have the same rights at white children, they want all men and women to live together in peace and harmony. Most of all they want the right to vote. (218 Dream) To get this they are ready to do anything, they are ready to go to jail, take a hit, or even live in the streets. They are ready to continue to work toward their faith in the American Dream. (219 Dream) He tells his people to go back to their states of residency and know that they have changed their home in someway, simply by attending this demonstration. (291 Dream)
So I say to you, my friends, that even though we must face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. Its a dream deeply rooted in the American Dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed-we hold these truths to be self evident that al men are created equal. (219 Dream)
King tells his people that here we sit at the table of brotherhood, ready to be served the plate of rights theyve been waiting for. This brotherhood is sweet to them; they are ready for it. (219 Dream) Kings belief in America shines through in this speech. In the end he states that his dream will come true. This simple statement once again puts trust and faith in him by his people.
Moving for Freedom
Our bodies are tired and our feet are somewhat sore, but today as I stand before you and think back over the great march, I can say as Sister Pollard said, a seventy year old Negro woman who lived in this community during the bus boycott and one day she was asked while walking if she wanted a ride and she answered, No, the person said Well arent you tired? And with her ungrammatical profundity, she said My feets is tired, but my soul is rested. (227 God).
Thousands of people everyday ask themselves about the question of racism and social injustice. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the greatest leaders in racial equality. (227 God) When King speaks he reaches his entire audience, in a way that motivates without violence. In the excerpt above from the speech Our God is Marching On! which was delivered on March 25, 1965, you can see how King uses true life experiences to reach his followers. (227 God) This speech ended a long march which King lead. Thousands of people began this mighty walk to prove to white Americans that the black American was ready for their well-deserved rights. King explains how all these people went through hell to get here today and they are not going to turn around. We aint goin let nobody turn us around states King (227 God) The Civil Rights Act of 1964 gave blacks part of their rights, but according to King these rights are worthless without the right to vote. without the vote it was dignity without strength. (227 God) In this march King believes that an entire community was into motion, dealing with brutality and death across the land. This sad, yet shinning march became a major moment in the conscience of man. (228 God)
There never was a moment in American history more honorable and more inspiring than the pilgrimage of clergymen and laymen of every race and faith pouring into Selma to face the danger at the side of its embattled Negros. (228 God)
In this profound statement by King he shows his people the faith he has in all men, of all races, and of all faiths. By showing his trust and belief King gains the support and strength of his people. In this march King was ready to confront good and evil, even in the tiny community of Selma, where racism roared. (228 God) This tiny community of Selma and its severe racism had the massive power to change the entire nations ways. It caused the most passionate pleas for human rights ever made by a president of our nation, he pledged the might of the general government to cast off the centuries-old blight. (228 God) President Johnson praised the Negro for waking the nation up to its severe problem. King also pays part to the white Americans who cherish their democratic traditions even with the ugly ways of racism. (228 God) King refers to this march as bloody, yet it has become a highway up from darkness.” and believes that even if evil is defended and nurtured it is still on its deathbed. He states that evil is choking to death in the dusty roads and streets of this state. (228 God) The only uncertainty is how elaborate the death will be.
The entire campaign is centered on the simple yet vital right to vote. The right to vote is the very origin of the cause of racism. (288 God) Segregation is everywhere, we are segregated by race, by class, by religion, and even by gender, but most of all they have segregated the Negro from everything. (228 God) We have made huge steps in our march toward freedom. King tells the small city, to the state, to the nation, and to the people of the world.
We are not about to turn around. We are on the move now. Yes, we are on the move and no wave of racism can stop us.
In this bold statement King creates a sense of power and pride, that he holds close to heart, which lets his people believe in him. King goes on to show his strength in many different ways. This march is a march of freedom and they are moving toward the land of freedom. (229 God) This march is the march toward the American dream. They are marching against segregated housing, the ghettos, social and economic depressions, and every Negro. Blacks are marching for the right to live side by side with whites, and have their children play together, and meet in the house of God together. (229 God) There will be no more segregated schooling, no more inferior education, and blacks and whites can study side by side in the same schoolroom and get the same education. There will be no more poverty, no more skipping meals, and no more staving men walking the streets. (229 God) Blacks march for the right to vote, to put their piece of opinion in that small ballot box, small yet so important.
They want places in their community, city council, legislatures, and places in congress. (229 God) On this day the battle is on their plate and they are ready to fight for it. King knows that this path is not an easy one by far but he is ready for anything and welcomes it with open arms. (229 God) King asks his people to listen, he wants them to join in the fight, and do their part in getting their ever so disserved rights. He explains that there are difficulties ahead, and that there is a huge struggle to gain their rights. He reminds his people to keep the commitment to nonviolent actions. ( 229-230 God) He explains that there are still jails waiting for them, and that they must accept this with the thought that its our step toward our freedom. The faith in the nonviolent actions will lead them to a brighter tomorrow. He states that their aim must never be to humiliate whites or to defeat them, but to work with them in having the rights to all Americans. To end his powerful speech he states that it can not take that long, because no lie can last forever, you still reap what you sow and the arm of moral universe is long and is reaching for justice. (230 God) He ends his speech with the statement that every man and woman of any race would put trust in.
Be jubilant, my feet. Our God is Marching on! (230 God)
Belief
Faith was what King had the most. He could be sent to jail, beaten, he could march for miles just to show his people that he believed in his dream. King was sent to jail, and while imprisoned he wrote a letter to his people. In this letter he explained his faith and that just because he was in prison his people should not give up, for he would be out soon and would march on once again. He states that freedom is painful and everyone should accept it for what it is. Rights must be demanded by the oppressed and there is never a good time to do this, but it must be done. (652 Jail) King states that justice too long delayed is justice denied. (652 Jail) They have been waiting for 340 or more years, and it is once again time for their rights to be granted. King points out that Asian and Africa are in a quick paced journey toward these rights while the United States creeps along. King and his people are ready for the United States to increase their speed to catch up with other nations. (652 Jail)
Daddy why do white people treat colored people so mean?(653 Jail) King used children and their curiosity to reach all audiences.
Anyone no matter what their race would respond to a small child asking this question. (653 Jail) King shows that blacks are living in a tiptoe life watching theyre every move, so that they do not upset the whites and cause their children to suffer. King believed that there was a strong difference in a just law and an unjust law. King said One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws (654 Jail) He also agreed with St. Augstine when he said an unjust law is no law at all (654 Jail) King describes a just law as a man made code to which everyone is to follow, that includes men of all races, all sexes, and all religions. He describes an unjust law as a law created by the majority for the minority to follow, yet not follow this law themselves. (655 Jail) King believes that by breaking an unjust law you are obeying the greatest law of all, and respecting the highest form of law. Also King states that if you break an unjust law you must do so lovingly and willing to accept the responsibility of your actions. (656 Jail) At the end of his letter, King apologizes to anyone whom he might have offended and to anyone who did not understand what he was talking about, he also reminded all his people that he is not backing down, but proving his point and his desire for the rights they disserve. (656 Jail)
Detering
Church burning was a major way to show racism in the south, in Kings speech he states
The burning of our churches will not deter us. We are on the move now. The bombing of our homes will not dissuade us. We are on the move now. The beating and killing of our clergymen and young people will not divert us. We are on the move now. The arrests and release of known murderers will not discourage us. We are on the move now. (229 God)
This small excerpt shows how strong Kings speaking was, he shows that no matter what comes his way he will fight it. King is willing to pay any consequence. (229 God) He believes that the might army of the States or any nation could be their power.
Closing
The path to freedom was a long rough and rugged one, uneasily traveled by any man. King made this journey with complete heart and trust in himself and in his people. He made this journey with his head held high and his beliefs in his heart ready to fight for the rights of blacks . King was one of the greatest and most honored leaders of racial justice. As you can see in any of his speeches or letters, his ethos lead almost anyone to trust him and put their faith in his faith.
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