Martin Luther King\'s Speech

Martin Luther King: "I have a Dream" a Timeless Speech

Since the beginning of recorded time there has been discrimination against various people for several different reasons, however the one main reason, simply put, is that they deviate from the norm or are different in some way. Among the groups against who are discriminated are African-American people who have taken many generations of harsh treatment. Because of this horrible alienation there have been great civil rights activists. Perhaps the most famous of all is Doctor Martin Luther King Junior, a peaceful civil rights leader who, through his famous "I Have A Dream" speech gave a call to all African-Americans and other persecuted groups to stand up and be free, for America to honor our words "All men are created equal."

King's speech begins by speaking about how, still, a Negro is not free and still lives in the poverty stricken corners of society; MLK speaks about the isolation a Negro in America faces. In doing this he is beginning by speaking out directly to his fellow African-American people. "So we have come here today to dramatize an appalling condition," stated King in the first stanzas of his speech. By that he meant that everyone present that day had come there to raise awareness in everyone of the horrible conditions under which his fellow African-Americans had to live. His message of defeating segregation is delivered in every paragraph of the speech. Many times directly saying that segregation and discrimination must be destroyed. Speaking directly to those against who are discriminated, he says that they need to finally, now rise up and defend themselves.

To show, despite his strong language that his peace loving ways still existed in his heart and soul, Martin Luther directly called the white people their (African-American's) brothers. In the true honor of peace MLK also says that they (everyone) must continue to march forward and not turn back, not repeat history; everyone as one must continue to improve the state of the world. If you read between the lines you can also pick up on King's intense desire for harmony when he says that there will not be tranquility until Negroes are granted their citizenship. Amazingly King made such strong statements so long ago that are still extraordinarily prevalent in today's society.

As one of the most celebrated African-American civil rights leaders of all time Martin Luther King holds a very special place in our history. Still today, African-Americans along with other groups against which have been discriminated are trying to follow his words and peacefully fight for their natural civil rights. King spoke to African-Americans by speaking of the exact situations and troubles that plagued them then and now and has, in doing that left an ever-lasting impression. Standing at our nation's capitol Martin Luther King told African-Americans and persecuted people everywhere that "one day… the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood," this statement symbolically says so much more to African-Americans than it does on face value. He is saying that some day people will be able to join together in peace without the persecution that existed then and still exists today; that some day freedom will ring in every village, town, city, and suburb without regards to religion, skin color, gender, political views or any other difference among human beings. Such strong comments were given high praise then and still today in everyone's hearts are embraced.