LAD #26: MLK's 'I Have a Dream' Speech

On August 28th, 1963, MLK begins his speech referring to how "negroes" were "freed" from the Civil War, but how 100 years later, segregation continues to prevent blacks from being free. He continues on to state that the United States has failed to allow men to pursue the natural rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. King says that is the time for the country to live up to its promise to all races, not just the white man. MLK states that "now is the time to live up to democracy and rid the country of segregation and racial injustice." He believes that 1963 is more a beginning than an end, as the nation returns "to business as usual." He then mentions the police brutality, travel and hotel segregation, the signs which state "whites only," voting restrictions, and ghettos. Finally, King beings his "dream" of a nation that will one day "rise up and live up the try meaning of its creed that we hold these truths to be self-evident that ll men are created equal." He dreams that the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will sit together at the "table of brotherhood." King dreams that the country will be transformed into one of justice, and that his children will be judged by their character, but by the color of their skin. He dreams that white girls and white boys will be able to join hands with black children together and that all blacks and all whites will be able to share simple things together like praying. Finally, he wishes that freedom will ring throughout the United States.