“I Have a Dream”
Trinity Lomelino
In Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, the statement that stood out to me the most is, “With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.” This quote means that one day there will be hope for various skin colors to be able to be together: together at work, together in school, and together in standing up for what’s right. Martin Luther King, a brave and noble man, knew what was right; he knew that if he didn’t stand up for what he believed, the world might still be silent. He believed in what was right, and he believed in having peace and fairness in the world. Martin Luther King Jr. was brave to give his speeches: stepping up to the platform, smiling at his followers, and beginning his wonderful speech, knowing that one day his appearance would make a difference in the world.
Olivia E. Wyatt
“It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity. But 100 years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination.” Why is this quote so amazing? Is it because of the detail, metaphors, repetition, or is it because of the truth, all the sad, horrible truth King stated? Martin Luther King Jr., an amazing man, greatly changed American society and helped all men change for the better. I love how his “I Have a Dream ‘’ speech was so inspirational and truthful that even the most racist man could become kind and compassionate towards African Americans because of his words. King encouraged others, presented kindness, and fought for justice. His words moved millions, if not billions, of people. It’s a tragedy that he could never see what America has become today. His words moved people, his actions moved people, his nonviolent ways moved people, yet there was always a handful of people that just could or would not change. Martin Luther King Jr. shaped America to what it is today, and we are so prodigiously thankful for all he has done.
Lacee Rushing
Martin Luther King Jr. changed many people’s lives during the Civil Rights Movement. He gave hundreds of speeches to America and spoke those words to millions upon millions of people. King’s most famous speech “I Have a Dream” meant something to many of us, even me. One of my favorite quotes from the “I Have a Dream” speech is “All of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: ‘Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!’”
This quote really stood out to me. All of us, black and white, are equal. We are all God’s children; we are all beautiful; we are all who we are! We shouldn’t be judged by our skin color, but by our actions. Unfortunately, racism still thrives in the world, profanity crushes many people’s hearts, and darkness sucks people’s souls. But King said, one day, everyone will hold hands and racism and violence will end. He had a dream. Hopefully, one day, that dream will come alive and will forever reside.
Atticus Blade Aslin
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., an icon himself, gave his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech on August 28, 1963. This speech inspired millions of Americans to fight for the rights of their African-American brothers and sisters. I believe that today it is the most recognized speech of the Civil Rights Movement. One quote in particular went in one ear, bounced around my head, planted itself, and wouldn’t come out the other ear. “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’” This resonated all throughout my body. It resonated in my mind, it resonated in my heart, and it even resonated way down in my toes. King had a point: if we are to reach our full greatness as a nation, we must treat all humans as what they are: God’s children.
