Mlk Synoposis

The “I have a dream” speech was one of the most famous speeches delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King and one of the most famous speeches of all time. Dr. King delivered this speech on August 28, 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. More than 200,000 people were in attendance for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. This was a defining moment for the civil rights moment in America. At that time there was considerable friction between whites and blacks. African Americans were trying to move up in the social ladder as they felt they were not being treated equally under the constitution. Blacks had to use separate rest rooms, water fountains and sit separately from whites in restaurants.

Dr. King’s speech states his desire for a future where all races are treated equally and live in peace and harmony. The speech was directed towards all blacks to motivate and encourage them to have hope and faith in the future. He stressed to his audience that the means to achieve equality was through nonviolence.

Dr. King’s speech was very powerful because resembles the sermon by a black minister. He mentions respected sources that all people can relate to such as the Bible, United States Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and especially the Emancipation Proclamation. Another technique that makes the “I have a dream speech” so powerful is the use of the same words over again to provide emphasis. Dr. King uses the words “ I have a dream”