On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington D.C. ,on 28 August 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech that has endured the test of time and is regarded as a defining moment in American history, a turning point for African American rights in turbulent times.
Back then, a divided society was apparent in 1960s America. Rampant racism was visible throughout America, made clear by the signs which read “whites only”. Slavery in the past was partially kept in the form of segregation of blacks in schools, workplaces and in public. In a country self-proclaimed to be the land of the free, the irony of it is obvious for all to see. The African-American Civil Rights Movement was formed to end discrimination against African Americans, and was characterized by a number of events; most remembered of them all was the speech that shook America to its core.
The “I have a dream” speech was a powerful rallying call, crafted brilliantly to resonate with its audience. Standing behind the speaker, was the memorial for one of the greatest presidents of the nation, who famously toiled to abolish slavery, acted as a figure for the world to remember how this great man worked to achieve equality for the peoples of this country. The speech included references to well-known documents such as the declaration of independence, and the bible, which helped to spark the 250,000 strong supporters’ hearts. Strong, verbal remarks of inequality throughout the cities and ghettos of America where African Americans were being robbed of equal rights were compelling to its massive number of audiences. Repeated rhetoric of “I have a dream” being the most influential, its gripping strength still echo to this day.
The speech was a resounding success for the civil rights movement, galvanising its supporters in its belief that justice was within reach. The civil rights act of 1964 laid the foundations of freedom where the African Americans so desperately fought for and attained.
To this day, it is relished as a successful act of non-violence, where bloodshed is not needed to achieve justice, a respectable continuation of Gandhi’s work. It is relished as a cornerstone for equality between races in modern America. It is relished as the shining star of American values. Needless to say, its effects have impacted not only in America but the entire world, where many have paid homage to this wonderful speech.
It brought awareness to a wider audience than America. People’s minds around the globe started to challenge themselves on whether minorities should be given equal rights and treatment. Through this speech, a sense of care and respect for minorities that was void before was now firmly set in the hearts of many. The eloquent oratory planted the seeds of humanitarian values that were shared among not only by a particular race, but all mankind. As though it was destined, an American spread across the world the true purpose of this great phase “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
The dream Martin Luther King Jr. had was the most astounding and memorable of them all. A dream where blacks and whites could hold hands together, where “crooked places will be made straight” and where people “will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their characters.” moulded modern society. These standards are being held today in the modern world partly because of this timeless, magical speech. The long-lasting effects of it ripple throughout history.
As a revitalizing gift to humanity, this enthralling speech serves as a beacon of hope for aspiring people and nations who are working towards their own freedoms, and their own dreams.
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