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THINK PAIR SHARE> What do you know about the "I have a dream speach" written and dleivered by Martin Luther King?
Source Analysis: I have a Dream Speach.
On you copy of the speach highlight:
the particular changes King is promoting.
In a different colour, the human rights abuses he identifies.
In another colour, the areas that may have been very controversial in this era of racial tension and activism.
Martin Luther King, Jr.: 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. Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity. But 100 years later, the Negro still is not free. There are those who are asking the devotees of Civil Rights: “When will you be satisfied?” We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating “For whites only.” No, no we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until “justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.” I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day, even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day down in Alabama with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, one day right down in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day “every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.” This is our hope, this is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. 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 will be the day. This will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with new meaning: My country, ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride, From every mountainside, let freedom ring! And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, held on August 28, 1963, was a massive civil rights rally in Washington, D.C., and is one of the most famous events of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. Attended by over 250,000 people, it is best known for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. The march was a pivotal moment in the struggle for civil rights, advocating for racial and economic justice, and it played a key role in the eventual passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
1. Background and Planning
1. Background and Planning
The March on Washington was organized during a period of significant racial unrest and activism. The early 1960s saw increased protests against segregation and discrimination, including sit-ins, Freedom Rides, and violent confrontations in places like Birmingham, Alabama.
A. Philip Randolph’s Role: The idea for a mass march on Washington had been conceived decades earlier by A. Philip Randolph, a civil rights leader and labor activist. Randolph had planned a similar march in 1941 to protest racial discrimination in defense industries and the armed forces. This earlier effort was called off after President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order banning discrimination in defense jobs. However, the vision for a national march remained, and Randolph revived it in the 1960s.
Coalition Building: In 1963, Randolph, along with Bayard Rustin, a civil rights activist and organizer, led efforts to unite various civil rights, labor, and religious organizations to plan the march.
2. Goals of the March
2. Goals of the March
The official title of the event, March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, reflected its dual focus on both racial equality and economic justice. The marchers sought:
Desegregation of public facilities.
Protection of the right to vote.
Equal job opportunities and an end to employment discrimination.
A federal law prohibiting racial discrimination in hiring practices.
A $2 minimum wage (equivalent to about $20 in today's money) for all workers.
Education and training programs for African Americans to help improve their employment prospects.
The march was designed to put pressure on the federal government, particularly Congress and President John F. Kennedy, to pass meaningful civil rights legislation.
3. The Day of the March
3. The Day of the March
On August 28, 1963, an estimated 250,000 people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. for the march, making it one of the largest protests for civil rights in American history. Approximately 75,000 of the participants were white, demonstrating broad support for the movement across racial lines.
Speeches and Performances: The event featured speeches, musical performances, and prayers. Civil rights leaders like John Lewis, A. Philip Randolph, and Roy Wilkins gave stirring speeches calling for racial justice and economic reform. Performers like Mahalia Jackson and Bob Dylan also performed, inspiring the crowd with their music.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" Speech: The highlight of the day was Martin Luther King Jr.’s address. His “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, became one of the most famous speeches in American history. King eloquently called for an end to racism and painted a vision of racial harmony in America, where people would be judged by the “content of their character” and not the color of their skin. His words resonated deeply with the audience and the nation, solidifying his role as the face of the Civil Rights Movement.
4. Impact and Legacy
4. Impact and Legacy
The March on Washington is widely regarded as a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement. Its significance lies not only in the large turnout but also in the way it captured the attention of the country and the world.
Civil Rights Legislation: The march helped build momentum for the passage of two major pieces of civil rights legislation:
The Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination in public accommodations, employment, and federally funded programs.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965, which aimed to eliminate barriers to voting for African Americans, such as literacy tests and poll taxes.
National Awareness: The peaceful nature of the march, combined with its massive scale, helped shift public opinion. Televised coverage of the event, particularly King’s speech, brought the issue of racial equality to millions of Americans, many of whom had previously been indifferent or opposed to the movement.
A Model for Future Protests: The march demonstrated the power of mass, nonviolent protest and became a model for future civil rights and social justice demonstrations. Its success inspired future movements for equality and justice, including the women’s rights, LGBTQ+, and labor movements.
Unity Among Civil Rights Groups: Although there were some ideological differences among civil rights organizations, the march showed that unity was possible in the pursuit of shared goals. This solidarity was crucial for the passage of civil rights legislation in the following years.
5. Challenges and Criticisms
5. Challenges and Criticisms
Despite the success of the march, there were some criticisms and internal conflicts:
John Lewis' Speech: John Lewis, representing the more radical Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), originally planned to deliver a fiery speech criticizing the Kennedy administration and calling for more militant action. However, more moderate leaders and Catholic representatives asked him to tone it down. This tension reflected broader ideological differences between the more radical and moderate wings of the movement.
Women’s Role: Some criticized the march for marginalizing women. Despite the contributions of women to the Civil Rights Movement, no female leaders were included among the main speakers. Daisy Bates, who represented the Little Rock Nine, was the only woman to speak, and her role was limited.
6. Continuing Legacy
6. Continuing Legacy
The March on Washington is remembered as one of the greatest moments in the history of civil rights activism. The event remains a powerful symbol of the fight for racial and economic justice in the United States and continues to inspire movements for equality around the world.
Where is this image?
What message is this mural relaying?
What does it suggest about the impact of the US Civil Rights movement in Australia?
Choose 2 of the following questions and conduct research to answer them accurately.
Here are some thoughtful questions on the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (August 28, 1963), one of the most iconic events of the Civil Rights Movement:
1. What were the main goals of the March on Washington, and how did they relate to the broader Civil Rights Movement?
1. What were the main goals of the March on Washington, and how did they relate to the broader Civil Rights Movement?
Explore the march’s dual focus on racial equality and economic justice, and how these demands fit within the movement’s larger goals.
2. Who were the key organizers of the March on Washington, and what role did different civil rights organizations play?
2. Who were the key organizers of the March on Washington, and what role did different civil rights organizations play?
Discuss the collaboration between leaders such as A. Philip Randolph, Bayard Rustin, Martin Luther King Jr., and various organizations like the NAACP, SCLC, and SNCC.
3. Why was the March on Washington considered a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement?
3. Why was the March on Washington considered a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement?
Investigate how the march helped shift public opinion and influenced political leaders to take action on civil rights legislation.
4. What was the significance of Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" speech during the march, and how did it resonate with the goals of the movement?
4. What was the significance of Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" speech during the march, and how did it resonate with the goals of the movement?
Analyze the impact of this speech and why it became a defining moment in the struggle for civil rights.
5. How did the Kennedy administration initially react to the idea of the March on Washington, and how did their stance evolve as the event approached?
5. How did the Kennedy administration initially react to the idea of the March on Washington, and how did their stance evolve as the event approached?
Examine the federal government's response, including concerns about potential violence and their eventual endorsement.
6. What role did women play in organizing the March on Washington, and how did gender dynamics shape the event?
6. What role did women play in organizing the March on Washington, and how did gender dynamics shape the event?
Look at the contributions of women like Daisy Bates and Dorothy Height, and explore the critique that women's voices were underrepresented during the march.
7. What were the immediate and long-term impacts of the March on Washington on the Civil Rights Movement and the fight for racial and economic justice?
7. What were the immediate and long-term impacts of the March on Washington on the Civil Rights Movement and the fight for racial and economic justice?
Discuss how the march influenced the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as well as its impact on later movements.
8. How did the media coverage of the March on Washington affect public perceptions of the Civil Rights Movement?
8. How did the media coverage of the March on Washington affect public perceptions of the Civil Rights Movement?
Explore how national and international media portrayed the event and its peaceful nature, contrasting with earlier depictions of civil rights protests.
9. How did the demands for economic justice at the March on Washington, such as the call for a minimum wage, connect to the broader issues of poverty and inequality?
9. How did the demands for economic justice at the March on Washington, such as the call for a minimum wage, connect to the broader issues of poverty and inequality?
Examine the economic dimension of the march and how it addressed not only racial segregation but also the broader issue of economic inequality.
10. What challenges did the organizers face in bringing together such a large and diverse group of people, and how did they ensure the march was successful and peaceful?
10. What challenges did the organizers face in bringing together such a large and diverse group of people, and how did they ensure the march was successful and peaceful?
Look at the logistical efforts and strategic planning that made the march a successful and peaceful demonstration.
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