Remembering MLK's "I Have a Dream" Speech on it's 57th Anniversary

“Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. 

In today’s world we are often caught up in the hatred spewed from different ends and blinded the colors of the skin of one another. In Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s “I Have a Dream” speech, he opened our eyes and our hearts to driving out racial injustice with love and not hate. His speech, his courage and perseverance paved the way for me to believe in myself and in a better world from early childhood. 

My very first time hearing his speech was when I was six years old, I was just a young Black girl trying to find my place in a world where I learned not everyone would accept me. Dr. King taught me that hate cannot drive out hate, only love can overpower the bonds of hatred. I closed my eyes and began to dream with Dr. King, I dreamed of a place where I would not be judged for the color of my skin but the content of my character. 

Now with open eyes, I see the world around me changing for the better. I see our nation being lifted from quicksands of racial injustice to a bright day where justice emerges. 

Since then, we have made great strides towards the sunlight path of racial justice but we can’t stop here. We must triumphantly continue marching together hand in hand until justice is a reality for everyone. 

In high school and even partially through college, we always recite parts of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. In my opinion, this was one of the most pivotal messages spoken in America to this day. It has always been empowering for me to see and hear about so many people of color paving the way for my generation. If it wasn’t for their tireless fight for racial equality, I wouldn’t have any of the opportunities that I’ve been blessed with today and for that alone, I’m forever grateful. 

In his speech, Dr. King points out to Black Americans that we should discuss the question of how to achieve justice. This part of the speech resonates with me the most because it is a reminder that having these tough discussions of racism and the constant racial injustices in society are mandatory. These conversations are what will shed light on the biggest problems in America and help us bring unity. Most importantly, it is an inspiration for me to continue to do my part as a Black man in America and use my platform by being outspoken for the things I believe in so that we will continue to progress, such as Dr. King once did. 

To me, this speech means having a dream for equality is only the foundation. You must have a call to action to achieve and progress. We must all continue to do our part in the war on racism regardless of what color your skin is. Continue to uplift each other in hopes that we will someday pave the way for the next generation ahead of us and create even more opportunities. This speech gives me hope!

On this day 57 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave one of the most proficient and well-known speeches in American History in response to the civil injustices Black people were facing during the time of the civil rights movement.  Throughout the speech, MLK wanted to highlight the importance of the civil rights movement and how monumental it was for African Americans. MLK- just like a lot of other American citizens- saw the corrupt actions of this nation and we're not going to idly sit back and let Black Americans constantly get shot, lynched, assaulted, and any other heinous action. This is what MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech was about: To never feel complacent with trauma.

In his speech, MLK says “It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment,” and this quote alone is powerful enough to relate to our times today. A lot of American citizens treat Black turmoil as a trend for their social media aesthetic and don’t fully capture the severity of the current U.S. state. As Black people are killed and incarcerated at alarming rates, the rich are profiting off of it, leading to severe levels of classism and elitism. Racism in America goes far beyond saying racial slurs and using harmful stereotypes: Racism towards Black people through the effects of colonization, white supremacy and purposefully creating a governing system that prioritizes white people over other races has affected Black families for centuries. 

In conclusion, MLK’s speech has had a lasting impact on a lot of American citizens, whether it was in a positive or negative manner. The quote stated above stands out to me the most, as I said before, it still resonates within our society today. We cannot treat our trauma as something that can be solved simply, but as something that is very complex and takes a lot of empathy to realize the agony of African American history and finding plausible ways to relieve us of our traumatic experiences.

Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech was one of the most memorable moments of the Civil Rights Movement. Famously written and recited at the pinnacle of the movement, the speech outlined the objectives in which the group of thousands had been fighting for, for years prior. 

As a child I remember learning about the address countless times through the education system. I remember hearing the lines over and over again, delivered through both video and audio of Dr. King himself. I remember countless assignments of analysis in which we as students were tasked with the duty of decoding the words. Searching for symbolism amongst his phrases. Over and over again, I found myself nonchalantly reading the words until I committed them to memory. 

But only as I got older did I realize the true meaning in his words. 

The ‘I Have a Dream’ speech was taught to us as history. Preached on the precedent that the address represented a time in which radical change was spurred by radical action. A time in which a minority representation of our country stood up for what was right and seemingly, reversed hundreds of years of inequality. A time in which has passed. 

Only now do I understand that Dr. King’s famous words are not only a reflection of how bad the past had been for African Americans in the United States; but a vision for how good the future could be. A statement that reflects a continuity of change, an appetite for justice for all people, regardless of race, in America. An ever growing dream of equality that will only be achieved by the people, for the people, of both past and present.