HAVE A DREAM | Heritage of Words

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

SUMMARY

“I have A Dream’ is an unforgettable speech delivered (given) by Martin Luther King to millions of American blacks and whites on August 28, 1963. This speech represents the hopes and dreams of all American blacks who have been struggling for their rights and freedom. Though the American constitution and the Declaration of Independence have promised equal rights, justice and freedom to all the blacks and whites, this is not implemented in practice. In the American Societies, there is still strong racial discrimination, injustice, hatred and other inequalities between whites and blacks. The Blacks are hated, neglected and tortured in practice. In the American societies, there is still strong racial discrimination, injustice, hatred and other inequalities between whites and blacks. The Blacks are hated, neglected and tortured because of their black skin. They are deprived of their rights, freedom, equality and justice. They are treated to be slaves and are exiled in their own country. They live very poor and miserable life among the rich whites. Only the whites enjoy rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Luther king addresses the American Blacks and says that they should continue their struggle until they establish equality, peace and brotherhood in America. However, their struggle should be without violence. He says that they should fight for their rights without causing physical violence which may cause bitterness and hatred. They should follow the path and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi. If they keep on struggling in a disciplined way, they will achieve their aims. Luther king hopes that one day; the chains of hatred, racial discrimination, injustice and Inequalities will be broken. The new sun will rise with the rays of liberty, equality, peace and brotherhood.

Luther King urges that there should be immediate change in the conception of whites. The racial and color discrimination will weaken the foundation of America. Luther King says that his dream is the dream of America. His dream is the dream of freedom, justice and equality. The color of the skin is not important. What is important in humanity? Therefore one day, all discrimination and inequality will disappear. All the blacks and whites will walk together joining hands as brother and sister. At last, not only blacks, all the American people will be free. There will be sweet music of liberty, justice and equality all over America.

     1.     What is the apparent (exact) purpose of the speech of Martin

Luther King Jr.? Explain King’s analogy of bad check (cheque).

Ans. The apparent purpose of King’s speech is to get the black people

their rights of freedom, equality and justice avoiding racial injustice

based on color of skin. Although the constitution of America promises

equal rights to its entire citizen, the black people have been deprived

from enjoying the rights and get the victim of social segregation and

discrimination. Therefore Martin Luther King Jr. Delivers this speech

demanding justice for the black people.

King makes an analogy (comparison) between promises of an

American constitution and a bad check. Though the constitution of

America promises equal right rights to the entire citizen irrespective of

colour and creed, America has failed to pay her black citizen the rights

promised in the constitution. They are given bad check i.e. false

promises by architects of American constitution. If there is insufficient

amount in the bank out, the cheque of higher amount issued against this

account is not enchased and returned unpaid such cheque is consider as a

bad check. Similar way although the constitution of America guarantees

the equality for all, the black citizens are turned down from getting

justice in America. Therefore, king compares the promises made by the

American constitution with a bad check.