XII - I HAVE A DREAM

I HAVE A DREAM

Analysis

-Martin Luther King

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'I Have a Dream' is a speech delivered by Black Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King addressing the thousands of Negro people along with the white people, in the Washington DC, on August 28, 1963. He paints a picture of an integrated and unified America for his audience. Through this speech Luther has taken the black to the past with the sad memory of the time 100 years back when blacks were ensured with liberty, happiness, freedom when Lincoln signed Emancipation proclamation. That assurance was just in words not in practicality. Through this momentous speech, Martin wants to establish the sense of brotherhood among the blacks and whites. In his speech he has seen a dream where through the collective effort of both the black and white will uplift the colour of America. Moreover, the speech has significant historical significance as it could bring harmony among all the citizens of America. Martin tells that 100 years ago the great person Lincoln signed Emancipation Proclamation which ensured the entire black that they would be set free from all domination, oppression and suppression and police brutality. But, unfortunately even after 100 years the plight of the black people has been the same. The black are still in the chain of racial and colour discrimination. They are still thought to be inferior to the white people. They have been deprived of many fundamental things. Martin reminds all the black people that the white people had given them a check and promissory note ensuring them that they would be equal to the white 100 years ago. But, Martin makes them realize that the check given to them was bad as it couldn't be cashed. The equality, opportunity, freedom and justice were just confined into the words having no practical application. Thus, Martin tells that it is high time of urgency to cash this check.

Since Martin Luther King was the worshipper of non-violence, he tried to persuade the black people not to be guilty of wrongful seeds that made them realize that their struggle should be full of dignity and discipline. He further told that in the process of gaining their freedom they shouldn't invite any physical violence, rather their physical force should be fused with soul force. He even requested the black people that they shouldn't disturb all the whites as some of them have been present in this demonstration.

Martin Luther King in his speech shows extreme dissatisfaction on behalf of the entire black people. He tells that they will never be satisfied until they are free from the police brutality, until they can take rest in the motels of highway and hotels of the city, until they are allowed to vote and until they are ensured that they will be no more captive, dominated, inferior and ill-treated. Despite all the difficulties and frustrations, Martin Luther King tells that he has a dream in which all will be treated equal, there will be no more injustice, racial and colour discrimination. He further tells that he has seen a dream in which the sons of former slave and the sons of former slave owner will sit on the same table of brotherhood. The children will not be judged on the basis of their colour or complexion rather they will be judged on the basis of the content of their personality. There will be the perfect harmony among the black and white people. They will play together, sing together, share the moments of pleasure and happiness. Both the races being united will make the nation America the most prosperous one. He is very optimistic in his dream therefore he uses imperative expression like 'LET THE BELL RING FROM EACH AND EVERY SIDES OF USA'. Eventually, when there will be peace and rest in the nation, everyone will sing the song of freedom.

In his remarkable speech, King described his dreams of freedom and equality arising from a land of slavery and hatred. King had the power, the ability and the capacity to influence all the steps on Lincoln Memorial and make the march worthwhile. By speaking the way he did, he educated, he informed not just the people there, but people throughout America and the unborn generations.