Martin Luther King Jr’s Dream: August 28, 1963

By Earl Douglas

50 years ago today, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his ‘I Have A Dream’ speech at The March On Washington For Jobs And Freedom in Washington, D.C.

What made this speech so powerful and so extraordinary, was that it went beyond the theme of the march – the calls for more jobs and freedom – and spoke a more universal truth. This speech, written by his main counsel and speechwriter Clarence B. Jones, evokes Biblical imagery, quotes The Founding Fathers, Frederick Douglass, Ida B. Wells, John Donne and even Shakespeare. It spoke for the times, yet has become timeless.

Dr. King’s oratory skills reached a new apex on that August afternoon. It must be noted that the ‘I Have A Dream’ portion of the speech barely clocks in at 5 minutes. Standing at the base of the Lincoln Memorial, King spends the bulk of his speech calling out America for its failures to deliver for Blacks what was written in The Declaration Of Independence and The Emancipation Proclamation. Using a bank metaphor, King said that ‘America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked “insufficient funds”. He also warned the U.S. of the dangers for gradualism urging its leaders to recognize ‘the fierce urgency of Now.’ It was the closest Dr. King would ever come to hinting at an armed struggle warning that if action isn’t taken soon, the country would be in for ‘a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual.’ But, in staying true to his commitment to non-violence, Dr. King also urged Blacks to take the high moral road. Speaking to those who sought to achieve justice through violent means, King said, ‘We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.’ Addressing the many whites who took part in the march, King would add that they ‘have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have to come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.’

Then came the actual ‘I Have A Dream’ section of the speech. Beautifully written and even more so delivered, it has rightfully become the centerpiece of the King legacy and the wish for not only every American, but for anyone on living on Planet Earth.

Today at 3pm, the chimes of freedom will ring across the nation for equality for all, justice and above all, peace.

Thank you Dr. King for having a dream.  Let’s not forget to honor it, respect it and keep it alive.  On this 50th anniversary, listen to Dr King’s speech and think if you’ve helped or hurt the cause to let freedom ring for everyone regardless of their color, gender, orientation or ancestry.

Let freedom ring!

Let freedom ring!

Let freedom ring!