Martin Luther King - I Have A Dream Speech - August 28, 1963

Summary

In this historic speech, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addresses the crowd at the March on Washington, emphasizing the urgency of racial equality. He highlights the unfulfilled promises of America's founding documents to Black citizens and calls for nonviolent protest to achieve freedom and justice. King's powerful words, including his famous 'I have a dream' vision, inspire hope for a future where all are judged by their character, not their color.

Takeaways

• 📜 The speech is a call for freedom and equality, referencing historical events such as the Emancipation Proclamation.
• 🏛️ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. emphasizes the ongoing struggle for civil rights despite the passage of time since the Emancipation Proclamation.
• 💔 The speech highlights the continued existence of segregation and discrimination against African Americans.
• 🗣️ Dr. King speaks of the urgency of the moment, rejecting gradualism and calling for immediate action for civil rights.
• 🤝 He calls for unity and brotherhood among all citizens, regardless of race, to achieve true freedom and justice.
• 💼 The speech metaphorically describes America as having given a 'bad check' to its black citizens, promising rights but not delivering on them.
• 🙅‍♂️ Dr. King rejects violence and calls for nonviolent protests and actions to achieve civil rights.
• 🌟 He envisions a future where people are judged by their character, not the color of their skin.
• 🌈 The 'I Have a Dream' speech includes a powerful vision of racial harmony and an end to segregation.
• 🔊 Dr. King encourages continued activism and struggle, even in the face of adversity and persecution.

Q & A

Who is being introduced at the beginning of the transcript?

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is being introduced as the moral leader of the nation.

What significant historical event is referenced as 'five score years ago'?

The Emancipation Proclamation, which was signed 100 years prior to the speech, is referenced.

What does Dr. King describe as the current state of the Negro in America?

Dr. King describes the Negro as still not being free, living in poverty, and facing segregation and discrimination.

What does Dr. King refer to as the 'check' that America has written to its citizens?

The 'check' refers to the promise of unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as stated in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

What does Dr. King demand when he says 'we've come to cash this check'?

Dr. King demands the realization of the promises of democracy, including freedom and justice for all, particularly for the Negro community.

What does Dr. King emphasize as the 'fierce urgency of now'?

Dr. King emphasizes immediate action towards racial justice and equality, rejecting the idea of gradualism or delaying the fulfillment of civil rights.

How does Dr. King advise the Negro community to conduct their struggle?

Dr. King advises the community to conduct their struggle with dignity and discipline, avoiding physical violence and bitterness.

What does Dr. King mean when he says 'we cannot walk alone'?

Dr. King means that the struggle for civil rights is a collective effort that requires the support and participation of all people, regardless of race.

What are the specific conditions that Dr. King states the Negro community is not satisfied with?

Dr. King lists conditions such as police brutality, inability to gain lodging, living in ghettos, segregation, and denial of voting rights as reasons for dissatisfaction.

What is the 'dream' that Dr. King talks about in the speech?

Dr. King's dream is of a future where people are judged by their character rather than the color of their skin, and where racial equality and justice prevail.

How does Dr. King envision the realization of his dream?

Dr. King envisions the realization of his dream through collective action, faith, and the transformation of society towards justice and brotherhood.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Introduction to the March on Washington

The speaker begins by honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., introducing him as a moral leader. He highlights the significance of the gathering as a pivotal moment in the fight for freedom. The speaker reflects on the Emancipation Proclamation, noting its promise of hope for slaves but acknowledges that a century later, African Americans still suffer from segregation and discrimination. He discusses the unfulfilled promises of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, likening them to a 'bad check' that America has yet to cash, representing the ongoing struggle for civil rights.

05:00

🔥 The Urgency of the Civil Rights Movement

The speaker emphasizes the urgency of the civil rights movement, rejecting the idea of gradualism or complacency. He calls for immediate action to realize the promises of democracy and to address racial injustice. The speaker warns against the consequences of inaction, suggesting that unrest will continue until civil rights are granted. He also stresses the importance of nonviolence, urging protesters to maintain dignity and discipline in their struggle for freedom. The speaker acknowledges the presence of white allies and the shared destiny between races, asserting that the fight for civil rights is a collective effort.

10:02

🌟 The Dream of Equality and Justice

The speaker shares his vision of a future where equality and justice prevail. He dreams of a nation where people are judged by their character, not the color of their skin. He envisions a day when racial barriers are broken down, and children of all races can join hands in unity. The speaker's dream is deeply rooted in the American Dream, and he calls for continued struggle and faith in the face of adversity. He encourages listeners to return to their communities with the hope of change, emphasizing the redemptive power of unearned suffering.

15:05

🏞️ A Call for Freedom Across America

The speaker concludes by calling for freedom to 'ring' from every corner of the United States. He envisions a future where all people, regardless of race or religion, can join together in harmony. The speaker's words evoke the image of a united America, where the ideals of liberty and justice are realized for all citizens. He uses powerful imagery of mountains and hills to symbolize the struggle and ultimate triumph of the civil rights movement, ending with the refrain from an old spiritual, expressing the aspiration for freedom and the belief that it will ultimately be achieved.

Keywords

💡Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation was a significant document issued by President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War, declaring the freedom of slaves in Confederate states. In the script, it is mentioned as a 'great Beacon Light Of Hope' for millions of slaves, symbolizing a turning point in the fight for freedom and equality. The reference to this historical event underscores the long struggle for civil rights and the progress yet to be made.

💡Segregation

Segregation refers to the policy or practice of separating people based on race, color, or other characteristics. The script mentions that 'the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation,' highlighting the systemic barriers that were, and in some contexts still are, faced by African Americans in accessing equal rights and opportunities.

💡Discrimination

Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex. The script speaks of 'the chains of discrimination,' emphasizing the ongoing struggle against prejudice and unfair treatment that the African American community faced, and continues to face in some respects.

💡Civil Rights

Civil rights are the rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality. The script discusses the struggle for civil rights, indicating the fight for legal recognition and protection under the law, as well as the social changes necessary for true equality.

💡Promissory Note

A promissory note is a written promise to pay a specified amount of money. In the context of the script, it metaphorically refers to the promises made by the founding documents of the United States, such as the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, which were meant to guarantee rights to all citizens, including African Americans. The phrase 'bad check' symbolizes the unfulfilled promises of freedom and equality.

💡Nonviolence

Nonviolence is the practice of resolving conflicts without the use of violence. The script calls for a struggle conducted on 'the high plane of dignity and discipline,' advocating for nonviolent protest as a means to achieve civil rights, which was a central tenet of Martin Luther King Jr.'s philosophy.

💡Integration

Integration refers to the bringing together of people of different races into a community. The script speaks of a dream where 'little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers,' illustrating the aspiration for a society where race does not determine one's opportunities or social standing.

💡Justice

Justice is the principle of moral rightness, based on ethics and law. The script repeatedly calls for justice, indicating the need for fair treatment and equality before the law. It is portrayed as a fundamental right that is being denied to the African American community.

💡Freedom

Freedom refers to the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. The script uses the metaphor of 'let freedom ring' to express the desire for liberty and the end of oppression, suggesting that true freedom has not yet been achieved for all citizens.

💡Equality

Equality is the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities. The script mentions 'freedom and equality' as goals of the civil rights movement, emphasizing that true equality has not yet been realized and must be fought for.

💡Brotherhood

Brotherhood refers to a feeling of friendship and support among a group of people. The script speaks of a 'Beautiful Symphony of Brotherhood,' indicating the ideal of unity and solidarity among all people, regardless of race, which was a central theme in the pursuit of civil rights.

Highlights

Presenting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as the moral leader of the nation.

The gathering is a demonstration for freedom in American history.

Emancipation Proclamation as a beacon of hope for slaves.

100 years later, the Negro is still not free.

The life of the Negro is crippled by segregation and discrimination.

The Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty.

The nation's capital is visited to cash a check for freedom and justice.

The Constitution and Declaration of Independence as a promise of rights.

America has defaulted on its promise to its citizens of color.

The refusal to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt.

The urgency of now for realizing democracy's promises.

The need to rise from segregation to racial justice.

The whirlwinds of revolt will continue until justice is achieved.

The struggle must be conducted with dignity and discipline.

The new militancy must not lead to distrust of all white people.

The dream of a nation where all men are judged by their character.

The vision of children living in a colorblind society.

The dream of justice rolling down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

The call to go back to the South with hope for change.

The dream that one day all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning.

The vision of freedom ringing from every mountain side.

The aspiration for all people to join hands and sing 'Free at last'.

Transcripts

shall

over we shall

over my heart

at this time I have the honor to present

to

you the moral leader of our

nation I have the pleasure to present to

you Dr Martin Luther King Jr

I am happy to join with you

today in what will go down in

history as the greatest demonstration

for freedom in the history of our nation

five score years

ago a great American in whose symbolic

Shadow We Stand

today signed the Emancipation

Proclamation this momentous decree

came as a great Beacon Light Of Hope to

millions of negro

slaves who had been feed in the Flames

of withering

Injustice it came as a joyous

Daybreak to end the long night of their

captivity but 100 years

later the Negro

still is not

free 100 years

later the the life of the Negro is still

sadly crippled by the manacles of

segregation and the chains of

discrimination 100 years

later the Negro lives on a lonely island

of

poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of

material

Prosperity 100 years

later the the the Negro is still

languished in the corners of American

society and finds himself in Exile in

his own

land and so we've come here

today to dramatize a shameful

condition inoc since we've come to our

nation's capital to cash a

check when The Architects of our

Republic wrote The Magnificent words of

the Constitution and the Declaration of

Independence they were signing a

promisory

note which every American was to fall

out this note was a promise at all

men yes black men as well as white

men would be guaranteed the unalienable

rights of life

liberty and the pursuit of happiness

it is obvious

today that America has defaulted on this

promisory note in so far as her citizens

of color are

concerned instead of honoring this

sacred

obligation America has given the Negro

people a bad check a check which has

come back M insufficient fun

but we refuse to believe that the bank

of justice is

bankrupt we refuse to believe that that

are insufficient funds and the great

fults of opportunity of this nation so

we've come to cash this check a check

that will give us upon demand and the

riches of freedom and the security of

Justice we have also come to this h of

spot to remind America of the fierce

urgency of

now this is no

time to engage in the luxury of cooling

off or to take the tranquilizing drug of

gradualism now is the time yes it to

make real the promises of

democracy now is the time to rise from

the dark and desolate Valley of

segregation to the sunlit path of racial

Justice now is the time

to lift our nation from the quick Sands

of racial Injustice to the solid rock of

Brotherhood now is the time

now to make Justice a reality for all of

God's

children it would be fatal for the

nation to overlook the urgency of the

moment this sweltering Summit of the

negro's legitimate

discontent will not

pass until that is an invigorating AUM

of freedom and

equality 196 to3 is not an end but a

beginning those who hope that the Negro

needed to blow off

steam and will now be content will have

a rude awakening if the nation returns

to business as usual

and there will be neither rest nor

Tranquility in

America until the Negro has granted his

citizenship rights the whirlwinds or

Revolt will continue to shake the

foundations of our nation until the

bright day of Justice

emerges but that is something that I

must say to my

people who stand on the warm threshold

which leads into the Palace of

Justice in the process of gaining our

rightful

place we must not be guilty of wrongful

Deeds let us not seek to satisfy our

thirst for Freedom by drinking from the

cup of bitterness and hatred

we must forever conduct our struggle on

the high plane of dignity and

discipline we must not allow our

creative

protests to degenerate into physical

violence again and

again we must rise to the Majestic

Heights of meeting physical force with

soul

Force The Marvelous new

militancy which has in Gul the Negro

Community must not lead us to a distrust

of all white people for many of our

White Brothers as evidenced by their

presence here today have come to realize

that their Destiny is tied up with our

destiny and they have come to realize

that their freedom is inextricably bound

to our freedom

we cannot walk alone and as we

walk we must make the pledge that we

shall always March

ahead we cannot turn

back there those who are asking the

devotes of civil

rights when will you be

satisfied we can never be satisfied as

long as the Negro is the V victim of the

Unspeakable horrors of police

brutality we can never be

satisfied as long as our bod is heavy

with the fatigue of

travel cannot gain lodging in the motels

of the highways and the hotels of the

Cities we cannot be

satisfied as long as the neg grows basic

mobilities from a smaller ghetto to a

larger

one we can never be satisfied as long as

our children are stripped of their

selfhood and robbed of their dignity by

sign stating for whites

only we cannot be satisfied as long as a

negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a

negro in New York believes he has

nothing for which to vote

no no we are not satisfied and we will

not be satisfied until Justice rolls

down like Waters and righteousness like

a mighty

stream I am not M

unmindful that some of you have come

here

out of great trials and

tribulations some of you have come fresh

from narrow a jail

Sal some of you have come from areas

where your PR Quest For

Freedom left you battered by the storms

of

persecution and staggered by The Winds

of police

brutality you have been the veterans of

creative suffering

continue to work with the

faith that unearned suffering is

Redemptive go back to

Mississippi go back to Alabama go back

to South Carolina go back to Georgia go

back to Louisiana go back to the slums

and ghettos of our Northern

cities knowing that somehow this

situation can and will be changed let us

not Waller in the valley of despair

I say to you today my

friend so even though we Face the

difficulties of today and

tomorrow I still have a dream yes it is

a dream deeply rooted in the American

Dreams I have a

dream that one

day this nation will rise

up and live out the true meaning of its

Creed we hold these truths to be

self-evident that all men are created

each I have a

dream that one day on the Red Hills of

Georgia the sons of farmer slaves and

the sons of farmer slave owners will be

be able to sit down GA at the table of

Brotherhood I have a

dream that one

day even the state of Mississippi a

state sweltering with the heat of

Injustice sweltering with the heat of

Oppression will be transformed into an

oasis of freedom and Justice I have a

dream that my poor 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 I have a dream today

I have a dream that one

day

down in Alabama with its vicious

races with its Governor having his lips

dripping with the words of interposition

and

nullification one day right there in

Alabama little black boys and black

girls will be able to join hands with

little white boys and white girls as

sisters and brothers I have a dream

today

I have a dream that one day every Valley

shall be exalted every Hill and Mountain

shall be made low the rough places will

be made plain and the Crooked places

will be made straight and the glory of

the Lord shall be revealed and All Flesh

shall see it together this is our hope

this is the faith that I go back to the

South with with this faith

we will be able to heue out of the

Mountain of Despair a stone of

Hope with this faith we will be able to

transform the jangling discords of our

nation into a beautiful Symphony of

Brotherhood with this faith we will be

able to work together to pray together

to struggle together to go to jail

together to stand up for Freedom

together knowing that we will be free

one day

this will be the

day this will be the day when all of

God's children will be able to sing with

new meaning my country tears of thee

sweet land of liberty of Thee I Sing

land where my fathers died land of the

Pilgrims Pride from Every Mountain Side

Let Freedom Ring and if America is to be

a great nation this must become true and

so let fre fre rain from the prodigious

hilltops of New Hampshire Let Freedom

rain from the mighty mountains of New

York Let Freedom Ring from the

heightening alligators of

Pennsylvania Let Freedom Ring from the

snow cap Rockies of

Colorado Let Freedom Ring from the caal

slopes of California but not only that

Let Freedom rain from Stone Mountain of

Georgia let Let Freedom Ring from

Lookout Mountain of

Tennessee Let Freedom Ring from every

Hill and mold Hill of Mississippi from

Every Mountain Side Let Freedom Ring and

when this

happens and when we allow Freedom

Ring when we let it ring from every

village and every Hamlet from every

state and every

city we will be able to speed up up that

day when all of God's children black men

and white men Jews and Gentiles

Protestants and Catholics will be able

to join hands and sing in the words of

the old Negro spiritual free at last

free at last thank God Almighty we are

free at that