Martin Luther’s ‘I have a dream’ was a speech, which was delivered to an approximately 200,000 activists and other demonstrators who were gathered before Lincoln Memorial in the year 1963. This meeting was meant to end the racial and economic injustices, which are better described by Luther as chains of discrimination. The meeting purposed to address poverty that was a great hindrance to the national prosperity (King, Carson, & Shepard, 2002). This meeting choose to end unprecedented black-white racial segregation and increase a great support for reforms. The reason for choosing this speaker is attributed to his role as a champion for equal rights and freedom of expression (Miller, 1998). He upheld human dignity and fostered better relations between the people of all races without any discriminatory practices (Miller, 2012). He called out the fulfilment of promises, which were made to all men despite the colour of the skin. He gives a clear-cut connection between poverty and wealth and provides a memorable stance against the racial prejudices afflicted upon the African American minority groups (King, Carson, & Shepard, 2002). The speech has been curved out of a simple structure with Luther asserting that all men are created equal in the Eyes of God. In the time of inequality, he inspires the reader to uphold courage and take the necessary step of faith.
The unifying status and ascribing factors that describe this speech is dignity in treating all men equally. The speech is easily crafted with the message being plain and simple. According to him, 1963 marked the beginning of demonstration targeting civil and constitutional disobedience and bringing the justice to the people of God. Another unifying status is that the speech lays its foundations to the future and challenges those people who have experienced injustices to remain steadfast in the quest for equal rights (King, Carson, & Shepard, 2002). There are common phrases that characterize the speech such as; Negro, justice, one hundred years and I have a dream, which lay emphasis in the message that is being sent. These phrases have a thematic influence and underpin the argument made by Luther. These words used in the speech provide the solidarity and commonness in the speech. The metaphorical use of phrases such as ‘the long night of their captivity’ provokes instinctive reactions that heighten the need of immediate response to the matters relating to injustice practices. The other ascribing status that defines the speech is it two-way approach of the issues at stake. The first part draws the presence of Lincoln symbolism and gives an introductory part of King’s argument using American nightmare. The second part in the approach looks at the future of unification of the races for the achievement of American dream (Miller, 1998).
The type of prejudice that forms the focal point of the speech is racial discrimination that was prevalent in America those days. This is justified by the use of words such as justice and freedom. Luther uses biblical references that render American government answerable to God for the plight of Negros (Miller, 2012). Luther chooses to identify with the crowd in the opening remarks of his speech and plays as a witness to the historic moment of transition between the desolate states of segregation to the paths of racial justice. In his speech, he seeks encouragement and motivation to the deprived freedom of people of African American descent (King, Carson, & Shepard, 2002). He expresses the suffering and the demand for change for the Blacks. King makes it understandable for the listener to know that equality is worth fighting. The motive that drives Martin Luther King in his speech is a focus for freedom of the blacks from racial segregation. His strong ability to lead is a prevailing condition that characterizes his speech. This is supported by the statements made in the speech.
The members of the out-group were down casted and subjected to the racial discrimination. This could not be considered as a conspiracy, but rather a social structure that was operating during this period (Miller, 2012). The policies were not properly laid down for harmonization of all races. However, to some extent, the out-group could have been subjected to racial discrimination since they were considered to have a low status value in the community. The demand for racial justice and integrated society is the quest that is being made by Martin Luther. The key theme in the speech is equality for all. There is allusion of the Bible, US declaration of Independence and Gettysburg Address in his speech (Miller, 1998). The three form compositional strategy that has been used by Martin Luther. Social structure during Luther era could have led to racial discrimination, which in turn contributed to prejudicial mistreatment. The attitudes toward prejudice and subordination have been influenced positively (King, Carson, & Shepard, 2002). Prejudicial treatment remains to be source horrors of social brutality. The link between abject poverty and harassment from government to the minority groups need to be dealt with accordingly. One way of dealing with such social mistreatment is sensitization. Just as Martin Luther purposed to free the society from the social injustices, I have learnt the need of standing for what is right in the society. Agents of socialization such as family members and peer groups have made me loathe instances of prejudicial treatment (Miller, 2012).
References
King, M. L., Carson, C., & Shepard, K. (2002). A call to conscience: The landmark speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. New York: IPM (Intellectual Properties Management), in association with Warner Books.
Miller, K. D. (2012). Martin Luther King's biblical epic: His final, great speech. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi.
Miller, K. D. (1998). Voice of deliverance: The language of Martin Luther King, Jr., and its sources. Athens: University of Georgia Press.
