Critical Thinking 1
Martin Luther King Jr. – I Have a Dream Speech
The 1960's were a changing time for America. Soon to be gone were the conservative fifties as many post-war baby boomers became young adults. The youth of American was no longer content to continue with traditional thinking, it was a time for a revolutionary change. The changes would affect values, laws, education, lifestyles and entertainment. All of this would take place during a turbulent time for our country. The Civil Rights Movement, the Viet Nam War, Communism, war protesters, draft dodgers, political unrest and assassinations were all a part of everyday news.
On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King a Civil Rights Leader delivered a speech at the March
King reveals his dream clearly and precisely. "I have a dream that one day" is the beginning of several sentences that provide inspiration and hope for the future. Using a direct quote from Thomas Jefferson, 3rd US President and author of the Declaration of Independence "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal" Dr. King implies that one hundred fifty years later it is not true. This is a clear and accurate statement that is a truism and is guaranteed by our constitution; however, throughout the history of mankind no government has ever treated all men equally. Although this is a dream of all men it's unfortunate that it will probably never be a reality.
Dr. King only asks one direct question in his speech which was "There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" However, there were many statements made which were not direct questions but did require answers. While President Lincoln had freed the Negro from slavery, why was he still not free in his own country? The speech inferred that the American Government had not insured that the Negro was truly free and had the opportunities that were available to all free men in this country.
In summary, Dr. King's speech does not deal with all of the