The Importance Of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I have a dream” Speech

Martin Luther King Jr was an influential person in Black history. He led the movement to end segregation and counter prejudice in the United States through the means of peaceful protest, and his speeches have left a lasting impact on many people. His “I have a dream” speech is his most famous speech. It called for civil and economic rights and an end to racism in the United States. It was delivered on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington. He expressed his desire for equal rights for Black and non-Black citizens, and how everyone deserved the same rights and treatment regardless of skin colour. King spoke about the Emancipation Proclamation, which was issued by Abraham Lincoln on January 1st, 1863 and demanded that “… all persons held as slaves” within the rebellious states “are, and henceforward shall be free.” (The National Archives), and noted how despite this, African Americans were still not free and that they were “crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination” (Britannica).

Here is an excerpt from his speech:

“I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.… I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream that…one day right there in Alabama, little Black boys and Black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.” (Britannica)

Many people believe that this speech was a major part of the passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964. Martin Luther King expressed his feelings about the unfair treatment of African Americans even after the abolition of slavery, and his words still have a lasting impact today.

References: 1, 2, 3, 4