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Roxanne Clark
Professor Deborah Artis
English 1201
18 January 2015
Martin Luther King Jrs I have a dream Speech Summary
On August 28th 1963 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his I have a dream speech. His
speech begins by him talking about the Emancipation Proclamation and how it gave hope to
many Negro slaves. Dr. Martin Luther King goes on to say how still years later the Negro man is
not treated fairly nor with the same respect as the white man.
King next talks about the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence and how
when these documents were signed it was for not only the white man, but the black as well. He
goes on to say how these documents were supposed to guarantee everyone the rights of life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
According to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. America has failed where the Constitution and
Declaration of Independence are concerned when it comes to colored people. King was trying to
seek action on this matter and wanted to let everyone know how urgent this was.
The nation was full of racial injustice and segregation according to King. He felt that we
all were Gods children regardless of race and that we all should be treated equally. King said
that if this failure and injustice continued that America would have serious problems. Until
justice for all was relevant and apparent the nation would suffer from revolts.

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King talks about how 1963 was not the end, but the beginning of something necessary.
He goes on to talk about how not all whites couldnt be trusted and not all of them were against
him and his fellow brothers. Many whites were caught up in this mess as well and trying to help.
King believed that if an effort was put and action taken to truly free the black men that
one day equality would be possible. He goes on to say how he dreams of this day, the day when
white children and black children can play together, the day when both black and white men can
vote, the day when people would not be judged based solely upon the color of their skin, but
instead by their character.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had a Dream, a dream that he believed through faith and
support could happen and would one day settle all the scores. With his faith he said he believed
one day black men and white men would no longer have to be separated, but would be able to
work together, pray together and etc. He believed that they would one day be able to stand up
for their very same freedom together.
King believed that one day his dream would become a reality. He believed that when this
reality came all people regardless of their race or their skin color would join together and sing
the old Negro hymn Free at Last. He ended saying free at last, free at last, thank God almighty
we are free at last.

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Works Cited
Jr. Martin Luther King, I have a dream speech. Washington D.C., 1963