An Evaluation Of “I Have A Dream”

More than 40 years ago, in August 1963, Martin Luther King electrified America with his momentous ‘I Have A Dream’ speech, dramatically delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Martin Luther King’s specific purpose: To speak on the injustice that was extensive racism that plagued America in the late 1950’s & early 1960’s.

Demographic & psychological characteristics, and how they “failed.” King addressed the audience in a respectful and mature manner, using word choice that thoroughly explains his view on racism and equality in a way that was not meant to offend the audience in any way.

Psychological: he used a term that may nearly be determined as “slang” (negro) and was appealing to those who use the word in a hateful way and also those who use the word in a friendlier/community way (depending on their race, of course, was who was saying what).

Ironically, I fail to see where his speech “failed” in any way, shape or form. The speech was meant to start conversations and a movement towards a better life and a ideal America for future generations. Although we may not be 100% there yet in todays would we are moving closer and closer each day. In my mind the speech opened up ears and did exactly what it was suppose to in the end.

Speakers introduction: The speakers introduction was clear and well stated, addressing the entire audience as a whole. It was powerful and unforgettable as well.

Main points and were they clearly presented? King addresses the the unfortunate history of racism in America in the given time period, brings attention to the utter despair and torment that the blacks were faced with (again in the given time period)

“Come to the nation’s capital to cash a check” this article depicts the way that the declaration of independence states in a promising way freedom for every individual in the U.S, regardless of color and/or socio-economic standing. “But we refuse” a rebuttal against the U.S society and government that restricts the justices that are provided to and granted to those of color, and how the “vaults of opportunity” need to be opened for all of those who reside in the U.S (demanding the “riches of freedom” and “security of justice” for all, essentially).

“Reminding America of the fierce urgency of “now”, stating that this is a state of crisis for those of color, and slowly segwaying into how the nation needs to unite as a brotherhood.

“Now is the time” brings up the whole, “we are all children of God” phenomena, and begins the more compelling argument of the negro communities complete and utter dissatisfaction with the way they are treated and viewed and wishing the nation could return to/conform to a way of peace and community with all of its residents, blacks and whites alike. The speech then begins to transition into the simple fact that there will be no peace or rest in America until the negro community is accepted and the days of justice for the blacks arise.

King then continues to state that (the black community) will not rest until they are on the “high plane of dignity and discipline”, and how creating physical violence over a creative form of protest is wrong on many levels, and includes how the black community must not lead to a distrust of all white people, as not all of them are participating in the unfortunate violence caused by the peaceful forms of protest.

The rest of this speech depicts how freedom needs to come with freedom, not freedom in disguise. Also, how the black community can be not turn back from where they are and where they have come from. They will never be satisfied as long as the negro community has no rights and are treated like nothing. As he concludes his portion of the speech on the outright wrongness of the treatment of the black community. Segwaying into the last part of his speech (last roughly 2.5 pages (www.archives.gov), he begins stating “I have a dream” about how he hopes that one day his kids will grow up in a world full of love and hopes that they will grow up in a time that everyone can be treated equally, and how the Lord made us all in HIS image, despite our differentiating skin tones. “When we allow freedom to ring” (last paragraph/motion) clearly states how that the day that all of god’s children, no matter what race, religion, or whatever it may be that segregates them, come together, that will be when freedom reigns at last.

Supporting material: Supporting material is simply the honest, compelling truth about how the black community is walked on by the whites and treated poorly every single day. The material DEFINITELY supported the main points and the specific purpose of the speech as a whole being (unity as a nation).

The conclusion was definitely effective and clear, ending on a note of pure hope and a clear unifying movement, urging people to come together as a nation and accept all as one. Kings delivery helped. Without the sheer confidence, a man (especially of color) would not be able to get through to the masses… not in the 1960’s. The clear motion of his speech spoke to everyone in the audience, not to mention the entire nation.

What this means for the future and has Kings speech come true and met the standards he meant for it to meet? He began to detail his dream and the most notable line was, “I have a dream that 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. I have a dream today!” But it’s sad to say that fifty-four years later, MLK’s dream has yet to end up a reality. There have been limitless deaths around the USA caused by means of unjust and unlawful therapy with the aid of police, which spawned the #BlackLivesMatter movement. In more current events, the Charlottesville riots held by white supremacists to “make America extremely good again” indicates that we have a lengthy way to go before Martin Luther King Jr’s desires and standards come can come true.