LAD #26 - MLK

Summary of Martin Luther King's Speech 

Martin Luther King begins his speech in depicting the event as "the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation." He reflects back on the Emancipation Proclamation, created by Abe Lincoln, and announces that it truly gave hope to millions of slaves, and focuses/ brings needed attention to the tragic problems that African Americans faced because of the color of their skin. MLK reflects back on the United States Constitution, as well as the Declaration of Independence, and makes it clear that it was supposed to be intended that both blacks and whites received equal treatment and protection under the law. He makes it clear to the audience that that day was the day change needed to happen. He inspires the crowd to persist until the ultimate freedom is achieved, but warns not to stoop to dangerously low levels of hatred and/or violence. He encourages civil disobedience, and reminds the crowd that they deserve and need the same freedoms that white people have. MLK, as he’s most famous for then conducts his "I have a dream" speech, and admits that he hopes to see the day where both races will be able to "sit down together at the table of brotherhood" while free from segregation, racism, or differences of equality. MLK, as the motivational speaker he was, concludes his speech in saying that freedom must ring throughout America, for it was pretty much the only chance at peace.

This is a picture if Harriet Tubman, for she was an African-American abolitionist, as well as humanitarian, and stood for the same goals as Martin Luther King did.