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0:02 am, Jan 10, 2017
“I Have a Dream”
by Martin Luther King
Question: Consider Martin Luther King’s ‘I have a Dream’ as a charter of freedom
and equality for the black people of America.
Or What is the dream of Martin Luther King in ‘I have a Dream’?
Or, Write a critical appreciation of the speech.
Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” can be considered one of the greatest
speeches in American history. Over 200,000 white and black Americans gathered
in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963 to hear this groundbreaking speech. His
dream is the equal rights of all the Black and White people of America.
King argues that all men are equal and should be treated equally. Many times in
his speech, King states how black citizens have been mistreated over the years. In
the beginning of his speech King states “One hundred year later, the life of the
Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of
discrimination.” King also states numerous times his dream for equality in the
country. He says:
“I have a dream my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their
skin but by the content of their character.”
King uses many historical documents to support his argument. The first document
he mentions is the Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation
was an executive order signed by President Lincoln freeing the slaves in the
confederate states. It was the first step in equality for African-Americans. King also
mentions the United States Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.
Martin was clearly dreaming about a future with racial equality, where people
are not judged by the colour of their skin, religion, gender, but by their character
and qualities.
Martin uses some rhetorical methods, including repetition, metaphors,
identification and persuasion in his speech. “But we refuse to believe that the bank
of justice is bankrupt.” He meant that there is injustice in the world, but that there
is a chance to fix it. The language and diction made the speech more powerful and
effective. Imagery is also used to help the audience’s understanding of the speech.
For instance, in the speech, King creates images of equality and togetherness with
this quote from his speech: “one day right there in Alabama little black boys and
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black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters
and brothers.”
The speech is directed towards King’s fellow Americans. Throughout the speech,
King uses the words “we” and “our” when referring to others. King is not speaking
specifically to white Americans or black Americans, but to the country as a whole.
He says “We cannot walk alone.”
The feelings and the power of speech gave a stunning blow to the people of
America. Taking the path of non violent movement, King dreams of a nation which
will be free from racial segregation. It is his earnest expectation that freedom will
ring from every corner of America. His speech is truly a charter of freedom and
equality for the black people of America.