Molly Johnson

4/16/21

Prof. Ramsey

I Have a Dream Primary Source Response

Arguably the one of the most recognized speeches to date, ‘I Have a Dream’ by Martin

Luther King Jr is bold now and was bold at its time. This piece was written in 1963 during a time

of racism and inequities amongst individuals that weren’t white. Although slavery had been

eradicated from functioning society, its presence was still very much alive in a different sense.

Individuals who were not white were still not allowed the same basic freedoms as their white

counterparts. For example, things like seating position, accessible businesses, water fountain use,

schools, bathrooms and as well as bathroom locations were all separated into categories: white

and non-white. The non-white facilities and rules were very much degrading, and they were in

extremely poor conditions. The purpose of the document, or speech, was to bring awareness to

the issues faced by effected individuals and demand justice/ quality. 200,000 people had

marched the areas of the Washington Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial in a peaceful protest.

Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King addressed this crowd along with nine others and the speech

given was a result and part of the protesting. The audience was those of the protest, but also

those ready for a future of equality. These people were ready for change and willing to work and

persuade for a future based on the claim that “all men are created equal”. There are multiple

important lines from this piece. Most notably, the repeated phrases of “I have a Dream” are the

core takeaway from the piece. This is a resonant phrase with the people because for many, this

idea was not a reality at all; It was a dream. This phrase also serves as an almost mockery of the

white man supremacy that is the oppressor because what is said as the dream should already be

the right of the people – all people. Another important line from this is, “Let us not seek to
Molly Johnson

4/16/21

Prof. Ramsey

satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred,” Martin Luther

King Jr. was a strong advocate for peaceful protesting as a catalyst for change and he also was

aware that, if things took a violent turn, the white man would find yet another reason to treat

them poorly.