Do You Think This Is Fair?
What would you do if you had to go to a different toilet because of your skin color?- What would you do if you had to go to a different school because of your skin color?
- What would you do if someone told you to ride in the back of the bus because of your skin color?
- What would you do if you were not allowed to vote for new leaders in your country because of your skin color?
What would you do if you had to go to a different toilet because of your skin color?These issues and similar injustices are what black Americans suffered from the time of coming to the USA until the mid-1900’s.
What Did Martin Luther King, Jr. Speak Against?
Even before Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born, slavery in America officially ended with the Emancipation Proclamation under the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. However, despite the changes in American law about slave ownership and freedom for black Americans, changes in how American society operated have taken much longer. Black Americans did not have equal access to opportunities in America.
Because of this, the voice of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. can still be heard in American history. His “I Have a Dream” speech is inspirational and looks toward a future where all people are treated equally, no matter what color the skin is. His dream was for a world without discrimination and injustice.
Dr. King opposed the unfair treatment of people, but he did not encourage fighting and war. He encouraged non-violent protests in order to create change. Many people have compared this approach to that of Mahatma Ghandi.
Did Dr. King Live to See His Dream Come True?
Like many great leaders, Dr. King’s dream of equal rights had many enemies. The idea of racial equality for people who espoused racial discrimination was a difficult idea to change. They could not agree with Dr. King’s ideas.
During Dr. King’s life, he influenced change in many ways. Rosa Parks is known for her involvement in the Montgomery bus boycott. In the mid-1950’s, the US Supreme Court made segregation illegal in the public school system. Soon after that, President Eisenhower was instrumental in improving access for black people to vote. Many others participated in protests against segregation in restaurants and bus terminals. These and other protests sometimes ended in violence.
In 1963, the March on Washington is one of the most well known protests of the civil rights movement. It was on this hot August day that Dr. King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech.
The civil rights movement that Dr. King inspired was one of non-violence, despite the violence that he and his followers had to suffer.
On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. He was only 39 years old.
Why did a man who was advocating for equality lose his life? It feels terribly unfair. Was his life lived in vain. I believe his life was not lived in vain, but that his life has inspired millions of people to have a similar dream. The history channel has a great overview of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Read more here.
Dr. King's Dream Lives On
As shameful as it is to admit, there is still discrimination and injustice in America. Not all people are treated equally.
Even recent cases like those of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery touch us deeply where the pain festers from the years of racial discrimination. Why do we continue to live in a society where racial discrimination exists? Why does it take so long for good change to happen? Racial discrimination needs to end!
It was a dark day in America when Dr. King died, but his dream lives on! The sadness of knowing that Dr. King’s dream has not been fully realized haunts many of us. On the other hand, it still inspires us to pursue a world of equality. The importance of equality for everyone should not be minimized.
What Does Dr. King's Dream Have to Do with Me?
As an English language student, you need to know about the challenges you might face in life. There will be times when life will seem unfair, but don’t give up. There will be times when you don’t get the same opportunities as others do, but don’t give up. Never give up on your dream!
Keep pursuing your dream to speak English well! Keep pursuing your dream to gain entrance into that university. Keep pursuing your dream of gaining international opportunities for growth!