A Man, A Movement, An Historic Speech

By Ashley Liporace

On August 28, 1963, a man with great confidence approached the podium and began his speech with words that he could only guess would come true:

“I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.”

The man is Martin Luther King Jr. He stood in front of thousands of people of all ethnicities at the Lincoln Monument in Washington, DC.  As you listen to the speech, you realize that this selection on the place where King decided to speak was not random. President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation to let all African American slaves be set free. Under him, they continue to fight for freedom. Today they came to Washington, DC to cash a check, a check that has been well over due. The check is not only for white men but also black men to have “unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

“Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.” 

As he said these words, the crowd cheered and clapped. King continues to go on to make a point on how now more than ever is the time that racial injustice should stop. When they walk today, they will meet any physical force with soul force. They will not walk alone and they cannot turn back from their walk till this racial injustice stops. They will not be satisfied until “justice rolls down like waters, and the righteousness like a mighty stream.” Again the crowd cheered and clapped.

Finally Martin Luther King spoke those words, the words that got everyone ready to make a difference in America, words that would later on make a historic figure in everyone’s eyes.

“I have a dream that one day all men will be created equal. I have a dream that sons of former slaves and former slave owners can be in a brotherhood. I have a dream where Mississippi will transform into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my children can live in a nation where they are not judged by their skin color but by their character. I have a dream where black children and white children can hold hands as sisters and brothers.”

As this historic moment started to wrap up, a new song started to be sung by King. He emphasized the word freedom as he sang the National anthem. New lyrics were added as well, letting freedom ring; from different states, black and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics.

“Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”    

These words echoed throughout everyone’s head as they cheered for this speech that brought tears to so many eyes. After Martin Luther King’s speech, the crowed continued to walk on Washington. On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King created what is still considered 50 years later one of the greatest demonstration for freedom in United States history.