I Have a Dream: Bad Check & Call to Action

Overview

• The speech commemorates the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, a turning point for slaves.
• The speaker addresses the continued lack of freedom and equality 100 years after the proclamation.
• The purpose of the demonstration is to highlight this injustice.

The "Bad Check"

• The Constitution & Declaration of Independence were a promissory note guaranteeing unalienable rights to all.
• America has defaulted on this promise to citizens of color.
• This default is symbolized by a bad check marked "insufficient funds".
• The speaker refuses to believe that justice or opportunity are bankrupt.
• They are there to cash the check, demanding freedom and security.

Call to Action

• The time for immediate action is now.
• It is time to move away from gradualism and segregation and into democracy and racial justice.
• The summer of discontent will turn into freedom and equality.
• Those who hope for peace without justice will be disappointed.
• Revolt will continue until citizenship rights are granted.

Conduct and Principles

• There is a call to maintain dignity and discipline in striving for justice.
• The thirst for freedom shouldn't be quenched with bitterness and hatred.
• Creative protest shouldn't turn into physical violence.
• Physical force should be met with soul force.
• Militancy shouldn't lead to distrust of all white people.
• The destinies and freedoms of blacks and whites are intertwined.

Unwavering Resolve

• They must pledge to always march ahead, and never turn back.
• Dissatisfaction will remain as long as blacks are victims of police brutality.
• Dissatisfaction will remain as long as blacks are denied lodging and mobility.
• Dissatisfaction will remain as long as children are stripped of dignity with "Whites Only" signs.
• Dissatisfaction will remain as long as blacks are denied the right to vote.
• Justice and righteousness must prevail.
• The veterans of creative suffering should continue their work with faith.
• They should return to their homes in the South and Northern cities.
• They must keep working, with the knowledge that change is possible.

The Dream

• The dream is rooted in the American dream.
• The nation should live out the true meaning of its creed, that all men are created equal.
• The sons of former slaves and owners will sit together in brotherhood in Georgia.
• Mississippi will transform into an oasis of freedom and justice.
• His four children will live in a nation where they are judged by character, not skin color.
• Black children will join hands with white children as siblings in Alabama.
• Every valley shall be exalted, every hill shall be made low.
• Rough places will be plain, and crooked places straight, and God’s glory will be revealed.

Hope and Faith

• With faith, a stone of hope can be hewn from the mountain of despair.
• The jangling discords of the nation can transform into a symphony of brotherhood.
• People will work together, pray together, struggle together, go to jail together, and stand up for freedom together.
• Freedom will come.
• All of God's children will sing with new meaning.
• "My country 'tis of thee", will ring from every mountainside with freedom.

Call to Freedom

• Freedom should ring from various locations to signify a truly great nation.
• It should ring from New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and California.
• It should ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia, Lookout Mountain of Tennessee, and every hill and molehill of Mississippi.
• When freedom rings from every place, the day will come when all people can join hands.
• Black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics will unite.
• It emphasizes the attainment of ultimate freedom.