Martin Luther King

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - "I Have A Dream" : Summary

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. starts off his speech speaking of the segregation and discrimination of people of color; blacks, Hispanics, Orientals, etc. People of color were segregated from the white people in schools, on buses, and generally everywhere. They were discriminated against by the white people because whites were thought of and treated as higher in class than non-whites. This is because they are made to believe this through segregation laws. He mentioned that there was much opportunity around them, but they could not take advantage of this and were forced to remain in poverty because of the restrictions. Dr. King pointed out that the promises of freedom, equality, and justice, written in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, may have been written, but were not enforced. That was the problem, he said. It is not the Declaration that is faulty, but its enforcers. He wanted to implement those promises, to have them fulfilled, and to have them honored by society. This is what he fought for; he fought not with his fists, but with his soul. He fought for what he believed in and what he felt is right. He wanted those who were unjustly treated in the past and derived of their rights to gain back what had been taken from them. He emphasized the injustice ways shown by white Americans to the people of color, but hoped and had faith that they would hear his speech, see the actions of others, and come to a realization that what was done was wrong. He wanted them to take the chance to change their ways, and said that they should be forgiven, so that everyone can get along. He explained to his listeners that although they have felt pain, in the end, when the fight is over, it will have paid off. He wanted them to continue their lives by continuing to fight, non-violently of course, as he wanted this to be done in a peaceful way. He explained