Tuesday, August 28, 2007

MLK in DC: 44 Years Later

It seems difficult to imagine that 44 years has passed since the historic demonstration that took place in Washington D.C. where Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke to a massive crowd gathered for the single purpose of promoting civil rights in the United States. There were no distinctions of people at the rally, there were only people; Dr. King managed to bring together people from all walks of life for a common purpose, people who were able to put aside any differences in the quest for something greater. After 44 years the prize seems to have been lost, or at least the goal has been forgotten. Racial strife in the United States has reached a point where political adversaries take the opportunity to attack potential presidential candidates because of the color of their skin, and others are attacked if they are perceived to be weaker because they happen to be a woman. All the talk of advancement and progress that may have taken place cannot make up for the fact that there are more people of colour in U.S. prisons than are represented in the population, something that cannot be reconciled by statistical anomalies higher crime rates committed by “underprivileged minorities”: prosecutorial racism, or institutional racism if you prefer, is a fact of everyday life and it is a sad commentary on this anniversary.

The text of doctor King’s speech is as inspirational today as it was 44 years ago, and it is well worth reading if you have not read the words. Even better than reading the words, however, is hearing the speech as it was delivered by the man himself (and seeing him as he speeks): an opportunity to experience one of the great orators of the twentieth century. Like Cicero commanded his audiences in Roman times, captivating them with his magnificent gift of oratory Dr. Martin Luther King was able to take a great speech and turn it into an event that changed the lives. I was not fortunate enough to be at this rally, it took place five years before my birth, but having read the speech and seen the film as a child it has always felt to me as though I was there in spirit, and that doctor King’s words had a special resonance for me: I share his dream, and I do not want to see another 44 years ago by before the dream is fully realized.

You will find the full text of the speech after the video.

Text of speech:














I have a dream today.


I have a dream today.




Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!


Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!

