Sunday, October 5, 2008

Entry #3 - "I Have a Dream"

In his speech, Martin Luther King, Jr. gives many "instructions" to his listeners.  Choose one example, paraphrase what he is saying, and explain how these particular words contribute to his overall message in the speech.

Post your entry by adding a comment to this post.  This entry must be posted no later than 11:59 pm on October 20th.

60 comments:

Anonymous said...

Radwa Mokhtar

"There will be neither rest nor tranquility in American until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights." (I Have a Dream speech) In this phrase, Martin Luther King Jr. is saying that the black people cannot wait any longer. They need to act now if they want justice and freedom. This phrase also helps to support the speech because it is explaining how it is truly unfair that the black people are not equal to the white people. America is a land of freedom. Therefore, everyone deserves that right. Judging people by the color of their skin was not what the first leaders of this country wanted.

Alex Rivera said...

Dr. Martin Luther King's I have a dream speech was a very empowering speech to all people. It showed great leadership and it fully summarized all the hardships African American people faced during this time. He gave hope to many African Americans that they can one day be treated equal and have the rights and freedom they deserve.
However, a phrase that I thought really summed up the point he was trying to make was, "I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the word "interposition" and "nullification." One day right there in Alabama little black boys and little black girls will be able to join little white boys and little white girls as brothers and sisters."
I thought this summed up this speech the most because it expressed the vision he had for the future African American children. The hope that one day they can grow up in a environment were you are not judged by our skin color, but your character. I also think it emphasized the fact that everyone on this Earth was created equal and should be treated fair and equally.

Alex Rivera.

Anonymous said...

In Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, he instructs his fellow people to go back to all there native states and homes knowing that there suffering with segregation will be changed. This connects to the overall massage of his speech. What Martin Luther King is trying to say in his speech is that the African Americans have suffered far too long with discrimination and that now the situation is going to be changed. He states that even after slavery ended, the African Americans are still not free. They still have to suffer under unfair, racial laws. Even though the Constitution says that all men are given certain rights, the black man is still not. He then goes on to say how they must fight and stand up and make this issue come to an end.
The instruction he gives saying for his people to go back to there homes knowing the situation will be changed connects to the main idea of the speech because throughout the whole speech he is saying that right now they are going to fight and gain there rights. The African American will go back home remembering what Martin Luther King said and know that they are going to gain freedom. In this instruction, as well as the overall message, he is saying that right now they are going to change the segregation laws and will not rest until they do. This powerful message in his famous speech is remembered and lives on to this day.

ChisomMokwuah said...

Martin Luther King,Jr was a man of influence and conviction. The day he gave his "I Have a Dream" speech was the day that many African American regained hope that one day there own dreams would be realized. What MLK said is what all the his listeners were thinking deep down in their hearts whether they belived that it would come true or not they all still had a dream.One of the most important parts of the speech for me is when MLK tells his audience to do something. He tells them that the have come to this country to cash a check which symbolizes their rights ,not only as human beings,but as American citizens.He goes on to say that America has defaulted on their promissory note that all men will be treated equality with the same rights as the man next to him and if that is so, then why are millions of African Americans not being able to "cash this check"? Why aren't they able to experience the same types of rights and priveledges as the person beside them? This cash and check metaphor is the symbolization of the promise that was made by our fore-fathers to all people not just whites, not excluding blacks. MLK instructs them to go out and cash their check of freedom and justice because as it is promsied as so it should be delivered.
Chisom Mokwuah

Anonymous said...

In his speech, Martin Luther King Jr., gives many “instructions to his listeners. “We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism” (Martin Luther King Jr.) In these sentences he is telling people of 1963, that this is the time to stand up and fight for freedom and equality for African Americans. That this is not a time to stand back, and let people treat them with such brutality, racism, and hate. He is saying that this is not a time to let things remain the way they are, where African Americans are treated so different, that they have to go to different schools and drink from different water fountains as white people. A time where African Americans are beaten and put in jail, because of the color of their skin. Things had to change, people had to make a difference in peace.

marykate ryan said...

The set of instructions given by Martin Luther King in his “I Have A Dream Speech” that I chose was “We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.” In this quote, King is telling his listeners that they have came so far in the struggle for segregation and equality. They must keep going and, no matter how much abuse they face, the people must persevere. If they want to win their rights, however, they must stick together and stay strong. As the Revolutionary War’s “Liberty Song” states, “Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all! By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall!” King’s quote contributes to his overall message of the speech by urging and inspiring his listeners to move on. If they do so, eventually his, along with all discriminated race’s, dreams will come true; for all men, woman, and children to be equal in no matter what part of the country, or even the world!

Anonymous said...

"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."
-Martin Luther King Jr.

In this quote, Dr. King states that one day when his children grow up they will not be judged by how they look but rather on the way they act in society. This contributes to his overall message in the speech because his speech promotes equality. Dr. King repeats the phrase "I have a dream...". He believes that, in a perfect world, people both white and black can join hands and live has one, regardless of what they look like. The day when people would look at each other and be recognized for their actions and not by the color of their skin, will be the day when his dream becomes a reality.



Natalie Clark

Kristen Azzopardi said...

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.
I chose this paraphrase because I believe this statement is self-evident of what Martin Luther King Jr. was trying to state. These words have a positive affect in the whole speech. Martin Luther King Jr. stood for equality and justice. His words showed these characteristics. All people are created to live in equality no matter what color their skin is or what they believe. They show his true feelings about the subject. Martin Luther King Jr. wanted equality for everyone and proclaimed his message to the world. These words contribute to his message by explaining what needs to be done to all live in equality and peace without racism.
- Kristen Azzopardi

Meaghan McDevitt said...

Meaghan McDevitt

Martin Luther King Junior gave many “instructions” to his listeners. One example in his speech was when he said, “ Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence.” Martin Luther King Junior was a man of peace in a period of history in which there was racial tensions and violence in America. In this quote he seeks to motivate change without violence, to use words instead of actions. He further states that freedom will not be achieved by hateful actions. These particular words contribute to his overall message in his speech by illustrating his dream of a united nation and urging individual citizens not to show hatred for their brother Americans. His speech emphasized that integration could be accomplished without riots or a burning down of a nation.

Caroline said...

An example of an instruction Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his audience was to go back to where you are from and believe that their situation will be changed for the better. He tells them to not dwell on their sadness but look foward to the day when they will be free. This contributes to his overall message because his point is to comfort all of them and tell them that there will be freedom and their lives will change for good.

Anonymous said...

Corinne Rondina

When Martin Luther King Jr. said his “I Have a Dream” speech, he reached out to many people and toughed them in a way that gave them sympathy to all races and ethnic groups. During his speech, Martin Luther King Jr. said, “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 my the content of their character.” I think what he meant by this statement was that he hopes that one day America would come to their senses and stop the discrimination of race. He hopes that people judge others by their attitudes and personalities rather than skin tones and appearance. Martin Luther King Jr. believes in equal rights for all ethnic groups, including black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, and Protestants and Catholics, as he said in his speech. Just because you are different doesn’t give anyone the right to have hatred towards you in any way. Everyone in the world is equal, one, and should be treated as so.

Sharon said...

Katherine Henri

Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the greatest public speakers in history. In his "I Have a Dream Speech," he gives "instructions" to his listeners. One of these "instructions" is "We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical violence with soul force." What these "instructions" mean is that people shouldn't let their violent emotions of protest to turn into violence. They should protest against discrimination and violence with peace.

shannon rubin said...

Shannon Rubin -
In Martin Luther King's, "I Have a Dream" Speech on August 28, 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, MLK had a dream that all men would be created equal. The signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution wrote that everyone, regardless of race, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. However, as our country developed, discrimination against the blacks continued to exist and it was time for a change.

Martin Luther King delivered a series of instructions to all his listeners who attended this momentous speech. He told them that it was important to continue down the path to equality, however, we need to make sure that we do so in a law abiding and peaceful way. We must not resort to violence and commit criminal acts. We must continue to have faith. We need to keep positive, pray for forgiveness and lose our bitterness and hatred for those who seek to keep us down.

Anonymous said...

Martin Luther King, Jr. gives many indirect instructions to the audience of his very famous and powerful "I have a dream" speech. I would like to consider this one: "Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred."

I believe that Mr. King is encouraging his audience to have high hopes for the future of mankind. He suggests that they behave in a way that is positive and will improve the current situation, not make it worse or damage it forever in the future. By maintaining your dignity and setting the right example by proper behavior, equality will be achieved. And this is a relative and integral point of his dream: that people will treat each other with respect and kindness despite any difference in race or religion.

nicolette iannuzzelli said...

A paraphrase that Martin Luther King Jr. made that was important in his speech was "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." This paraphrase has an important meaning becuase back in the early 1960's there was controversy over the African Americans and whites. The whites were sperating the blacks and white from a lot of things. For example, resturaunts had a black and white section. Even whites couldnt use the same bathrooms as blacks. Such as schools and even water fountains. The phrase is important becuase Martin Luther King Jr. is fighting for the equality of every man, and even woman should be equal. The color of your skin should'nt be used against you. God made everyone on this planet as brothers and sisters. And that is what Martin Luther King Jr. is trying to say to millions of people.

Anonymous said...

Victoria Rizzuto section 4 English 9
You should always be respectful and to conduct yourself with dignity. It's not right to resolve problems with physical violence. If you are honorable and discipline it's much better than stooping down to a lower level. All men should realize that we are equal an dare basically the same. you shouldn't have hate in your heart or bad thoughts and we should all make an effort to get along.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed all men were created equal. He believed that we could resolve our problems without violence. He wanted all men to love one another and live in a world of happiness. He wanted everyone to treat each other with dignity and respect. Also, that all men are the same no matter what color they are, religion they practice, and the person we are; that we are all created equal.

Alexa J. said...

On August 28,1963, Martin Luther King Jr. gave a very important speech. In this speech, he stated that "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." Mr.King is saying that all people should not judge other people by the way the look, but by their personality.This goes along with the saying that says "You cannot judge a book by its cover". Mr. King's overall speech was to try to get people to accept each other for who they really are, instead of by the color of their skin. This was a very important speech, because back in that time there was segregation and discrimination.

EmilyTimothy said...

On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave an unforgettable speech known today as his “I Have a Dream Speech”. Because this was a time of racial inequality, Dr. King spoke out against this injustice and encouraged those listening to fight for the equality of all men as was promised in the Declaration of Independence. Martin Luther King gives his listeners important instructions on how to go about achieving equality. He spoke of being dignified and disciplined. Dr. King did not want his listeners to leave the March on Washington with hatred and resentment toward the people who fostered the beliefs that some men were less worthy of civil rights than others. King instructed his listeners to go about seeking freedom in a respectful and non-violent way. He stressed the necessity of meeting the violence of others with “soul force”. Martin Luther King was referring to one’s inner strength and dignity. Putting yourself above the ignorance of those perpetrating the violence and hatred showed this inner strength. These instructions are connected to Martin Luther King’s overall theme of nonviolence, respect, and dignity in the quest for racial equality.

Unknown said...

Sarina Messina 10/20

In Martin Luther King Dream speech he instructed the people to " rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice." This means that he wants all blacks to fight for their rights as free human beings. Not to be separated from the white, but to be equal to them. These words emphasize his overall message of his dream. The dream that all men are created equal.

munazzaalam said...

Munazza Alam

Martin Luther King Jr.’s powerful “I Have a Dream” speech urges others to work toward a just and peaceful society by eliminating segregation and discrimination. In addition, King’s excellent diction makes it more meaningful. In his speech, Martin Luther King instructs his listeners to fight for equal rights, but to do so in a disciplined, nonviolent way. King states, “Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must…conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline.” King’s use of this metaphor illustrates the desperate need of the black people for freedom that cannot be fulfilled with resentment or hate. The use of the word “thirst” accentuates the urgency and anxiousness of the black people to gain their freedom, an unalienable right that was wrongfully taken from them. To follow up this image, King uses the symbol of a cup filled with bitterness and hatred; he insists they must not drink from this cup because it will not help them in their struggle for freedom. King urges them to fight for their rights on the “high plane of dignity and discipline”. King uses the image of a high plane, a flat surface that is level and equal, to emphasize how society should be. King insists that they fight with self-respect and discipline instead of anger and resentment, stressing the fact that violence will not make anything better. He instructs his listeners not to be bitter toward the whites; by doing this, the blacks would be exemplifying justice and contributing to make the world a better place. By instilling hatred for the whites in their hearts, the blacks would not be able to embrace their freedom even if they had it because they would not be associated with the whites; the two groups would still be separate. Furthermore, in the quote, King stresses the importance of love, peace, and harmony, the only elements of society that will benefit them.

Anonymous said...

Martin Luther King Jr. highlights many points about freedom for all people and ways to get this freedom in his speech “I Have a Dream”, but one stood out the most to me. I found the quote of “…we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force,” to be truly inspirational words. Throughout his whole speech, he spoke very powerfully and wisely, but I think these lines shows what a great man he was and how truly visionary his ideas were. His dream of freedom for all people, especially Negros, was to be accomplished by peaceful methods. His dream involved absolutely no violence, bitterness, or hatred. He wanted Negros to hold their heads high and command dignity and respect from the world. These sentences speak about how the Negro needed to rise above what the white people were unfairly and wrongly doing to them. He wanted to achieve justice by fighting back with words and peaceful demonstration, not physical violence. Martin Luther King Jr., dreams of freedom for all, he dreams of a world were his kids can grow up not being discriminated against, and many other dreams which because of him are a reality in the world today. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an extraordinary man, who is a true role model for anyone to look up to especially if they want to make a difference in this world.

Ami Vigilante said...

In Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, he says, “In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence.” These “instructions” are saying that while trying to gain the rights that they deserve, African-Americans should not be vengeful. Revenge is never the right answer, no matter how badly you have been treated. If you act terribly, or do terrible things to your oppressors, you are acting as bad as they are. Throughout his speech, Dr. King spoke about how African-Americans deserve every single right that those who are white do. He also speaks of how many things are wrong with the way they are being treated, and the way they have been treated for years and years. He says that, even though they have been free for a hundred years, they were never really “free.” They were never free of the burden of being discriminated against, and of being treated like dirt. Though he says all of this, not once does he speak of revenge or of violent acts. MLK says that even though they have been treated so terribly, they should not treat those who treated them like that the same way. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed that if we are to achieve peace, we should treat everyone with compassion, no matter no matter what wrongs they have done on to us.

nicolette iervasi said...

In Dr. King’s speech, “I Have a Dream”, he gives many instructions to his listeners. One example is, “As we walk, we must make a pledge that we shall always march ahead.” This means that on our walk to freedom and justice, we must promise to never look back on the unequal past but move on to justice. We have to treat blacks equally and respect the rights they deserve, not look back to when they had no rights and were looked down on. The march means to move forward in history and never go back to it.
These words contribute to Dr. King’s overall message. His overall message is that all blacks are created equal and should be treated equal. He dreams that blacks will not be judged in a world of whites. He wants the nation to be free. The instructions to march ahead tie along with this because it is saying to move ahead and treat everyone equally and to start the new generation of equality just as the message of this speech says to do the same.
Dr. King’s words in this speech moved people all around. Today, blacks everywhere have equal rights and are treated as human beings. The world has definitely marched ahead in the journey to freedom.

Julia Troost said...

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a very inspirational and outspoken man. In his "I Have a Dream" speech, Mr.King gives many "instructions" to his listeners. One instruction that stood out to me stated, " As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead." To me, these words are words of encouragement. They tell us to never back down and never look back. It tells us to never repeat the unequal treatment of blacks. It means to look forward in our fight against racism and never look back.
The overall message of Martin Luther King Jr. is to treat others with equal respect. He is telling the Negroes to never be ashamed of themselves and never back down against the fight of racism. People should not look down upon people just because of their skin color. No man or woman should be discriminated or hated upon because of their race.
Martin Luther King Jr.'s touching words are those of hope. He planned for a equal and fair future. His words will be remembered for years and years to come.

Taylor Varvara said...

One thing that Martin Luther King Jr. said to his listeners was:
“And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, “When will you be satisfied?”
He is saying that even though many people are mistreating us, don’t give up. Keep fighting for what you believe in until you achieve it. These words contribute to his speech because his main point in the speech is to urge listeners to never give up and that someday there will be equality between black and white people. This is also what he is saying in the example from his speech that I wrote above.

Lindsey Goodwin said...

Lindsey Goodwin

Martin Luther King Jr. Told the people they should treat each other equally and unite with different races. White and Black people should marry and have children of different colors and races. He wanted his children to be friends with white and black children. Martin Luther King Junior dreamed black and white people should get along and be friends with each other.
Martin Luther King’s dream of everyone getting along pertains to his speech in many ways. In his speech Martin Luther King believed everyone should be equal and have the same rights. If black and white people would have the same rights, they would also be living and associating with each other. Martin Luther King Junior also wanted his children to be friends with white children, and he wanted black and white people to marry each other. This would only happen if black and white people became equal, weren’t discriminated against anymore, and had the same civil rights.

nicolenetrosio said...

Nicole Netrosio

“Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.” This part of Martin Luther King, Jr’s speech is saying that we should go to our homes and help in the change he is trying to make in the world. That we should believe a change can happen and that over time it will. This quote from his speech in contributing to the message that we can help in the change he talks about in his speech. That his dream isn’t just for himself but the world and that regular people can assist in making his dream come true. This is saying that in someway a change can and will happen.

Anonymous said...

Jasmine Duraku

Martin Luther King, Jr.- "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed". "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." He is saying that he has a dream that this nation will live out its true meaning and no longer judge people for their different creed, race, or nationality. Also that we will be able to combine all differences into one united nation. This contributes to his overall message because this part of his message is about all of the differences of people uniting into one.

Alex Pagano said...

The “I Have a Dream,” speech, written and said by Martin Luther King Jr., is a very moving and inspiring speech. In his speech, Dr. King says, “We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate physical violence.” This means that they, the people involved in the Civil Rights movement, must not allow their protest to become one of physical violence. These are very important words, or instructions. The whole idea of this speech and of the Civil Rights movement was to be a non-violent protest against the inequalities that Negro people faced at the time, and sometimes face today. It is relevant in this speech because Dr. King is saying that there is a way to overcome this obstacle without physical violence or damage to the people who are protesting against the equality of all. Rather he is saying that they should approach the discrimination and the hardships they face, with a non-violent and peaceful attitude.

-Alex Pagano

taylortuzzalo said...

Taylor Tuzzalo

In the “I have a Dream” speech, by Martin Luther King Jr. the overall message is how God made all human beings equal and how we should all have the same rights. Martin Luther’s dream is that everyone will be equal one day. He is trying to say that no matter how tall you are, how old you are, what color you are, or what eye color you have we are all the same. When Martin Luther talks about not drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred, to satisfy their thirst for freedom he means don’t become bitter and angry at those who deny your civil rights. Do not act like those who hurt you. Instead, turn the other cheek and continue to protest in non violent ways. You do not have to sink to the oppressor’s level by using physical violence to get what you want.

julie martino said...

Julie Martino Oct 20th 2008

In his "I Have a Dream" speech, Martin Luther King, Jr. says, "We cannot walk alone, and as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall aways march ahead." This quote means that we should stand together and be united. He was saying that no matter what people say or do and no matter how hard standing up for what you believe in may be, we must not back down, keep moving forward, and always march ahead, even when its tough.
These particular words contribute to his over all message in the speech because the speech is about the rights of african americans. It talks about the prejudice people in the southern states and how they treated african americans poorly. Martin Luther King Jr. says to not walk alone, to stand together as one, because a group of people can make a huge difference, which he wanted to do, to change the way whites and blacks treat eachother. He also says that together, they must always march ahead. This relates to his overall message because it means that even if the worst happens, if they pursue and strive for equal rights they can reach their goal. If the african americans keep on believing, and keep on fighting for a day where whites and blacks could be friends and respect eachother, they will reach their goal. He says they should never look back on their harships and always move foward to a better tomorrow.

Ashley Rios said...

~Ashley Rios

In his speech, Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed that one day, our nation will rise up and truly live out the meaning of its creed, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." This statement contributes to his overall message because the main idea of his entire speech was that blacks and whites could live together without the separation of the color of their skin. To truly live out the creed of America, we must treat all people equal, have no slavery, and treat all with justice. These words can be found in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Declaration of Independence. In Martin Luther King’s time, racism was a major issue. Blacks were considered low in social class. They could not sit in the front of a bus, use the same restrooms as whites or go to the same school as white children. Also, before the time of this speech, African Americans were most commonly known for being enslaved. Segregation is a topic that is greatly supported by Martin’s “I Have a Dream Speech.” At the time of this speech, segregation was unheard of and not widely accepted. If an African American were to use the same restroom as a white person, they could get arrested. These words summarize the whole speech because in order to truly live out our nation’s creed, we must put an end to slavery, end racism, promote integration and treat others with kindness and justice.

Anonymous said...

Nicole Sammon English 9 Section4

"I have a dream that my four little children will 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."

This quote was taken from Martin Luther King's 'I Have A Dream' speech. He is instructing his fellow African Americans to fight for their freedom. Martin Luther King dreams that one day, people will not be judged by their skin color. Instead, by their personality. He uses his own children as an example to what he believes in. This quote has to do with his overall message of the speech because it explains how America is judging people by what they look like but not who they are.

taylortuzzalo said...

Dominique Hunter- my user name wasnt working so I used my cousins.

In the “I have a Dream” speech, by Martin Luther King Jr. the overall message is how God made all human beings equal and how we should all have the same rights. Martin Luther’s dream is that everyone will be equal one day. He is trying to say that no matter how tall you are, how old you are, what color you are, or what eye color you have we are all the same. When Martin Luther talks about not drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred, to satisfy their thirst for freedom he means don’t become bitter and angry at those who deny your civil rights. Do not act like those who hurt you. Instead, turn the other cheek and continue to protest in non violent ways. You do not have to sink to the oppressor’s level by using physical violence to get what you want

Anonymous said...

**** Revised ***
- Kristaly Mueses

“There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights.”

His overall message is: There will be no peace until the “negro society” has equal rights as far as the whites have. These words contributed with this message by saying how he wants to demonstrate freedom of our nation wanting, the next generation to have no racism and freedom. Also, stating he is not going to rest until the Negros have all the rights as the whites. He won’t rest until he fulfills his dream.

Anonymous said...

Alexandra McCaig

I chose the statement, "Some of you have come from aresa where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered bu the winds of police bruality." I think that Martin Luther Kind Jr. is trying to say that some of the people came of areas where they were free to do whatever and anything they wanted and weren't judged by their skin color. Then they came into a world were they got beaten and couldn't do certain things because of their ethnic backround. These words mean and also contribute to what Luther wanted to do was to gain all civil and equal rights for blacks.

krissy0xbabez said...

Kristen Segreto

The “I Have a Dream” speech, by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is a very meaningful speech the touched many black men and women. The phrase “This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children” in from the “I have a dream” speech. This contributes to the overall message in the speech because it talks about the thing that the people should be doing to help get freedom for the African Americans. The is what I believe his speech is about, the speech is talking about the Declaration of Independents and how it says that everyone has the right of freedom, including the African American race.

Anonymous said...

In a part of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech, he tells the people to go back to their home lands. He told them to return to Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Louisiana, and the slums and ghettos of the northern cities. He told them to stay positive and to believe that the situation of racism will be changed. He tells the audience that in the process of changing the situation, they must not protest in a physically violent way and must not distrust all white men, for many of them realize that both of their destinies are tied up together. Martin Luther King, Jr. also tells the audience not to wallow in their despair, for one day they will be free and everyone will be able to come together in peace. This message is portrayed throughout his entire speech when he tells the audience all of his dreams for the country.

kathrynbasile said...

In the “I Have a Dream” speech, written by Martin Luther King Jr. he says that while the African Americans are waiting to gain their rightful place, they must not do wrongful deeds, by drinking from the “cup of bitterness and hatred.” When Martin Luther King Jr. says this, it relates to the overall meaning of his speech, because its saying that African Americans needed to wait calmly to receive equal rights. He is saying for African Americans not to stoop to a level a committing illegal, harmful, and wrongful deeds to the people and society around them, during their wait for equal rights.

Anonymous said...

The quote that i picked out was: "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 conetent of their charcter." He meant that he wants his children to be judged by who they are not what they look like. He was very concerned about how his children would be treated by the white people. Black people and White people did not get along because of the color of their skin. Black people were considered a lower class then white people. His overall message was equiality. King wants Black people to be equal to White people. He want's them to have equal rights, be able to go to the same place with whites, and be free to do whatever they want to.

lindsayB said...

Lindsay Boccia English 9-4
IN his speech, Martin Luther King, Jr. gives many “instructions” to his listeners. “In the process of gaining out rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking form the cup of bitterness and hatred.”- is an example of some of these instructions given. To break this up, Martin Luther King, Jr. first spoke of “gaining our rightful place,” meaning the African Americans in society at the time. What all of what he was saying mostly meant “In the process of gaining recognition and an equal place in society, us African Americans must not be subject to doing wrong deeds. Just because we thirst for freedom, does not mean we are going to get it through hatred and bitterness like those men are giving to us.” His overall message in the speech was African American freedom and to make it to equality without being violent about it. These particular words Martin Luther King, Jr. said contribute to that whole message.

Anonymous said...

Sarah Salama
In the Martin Luther King speech, he states that one of his instructions is, "I have a dream that my four little children one day will live in a nation where they will not be judged by the skin of their color but by their content of their character." Martin Luther King means by this is that a person or a child shouldn't be determined from their looks or how they dress or what their skin color is but by how they are inside and how their personality is. He wishes that one day in the world that this would happen and we will all be called one nation with no one being disrespectful to another person. His overall message is to judge a person from their personality and how they act inside, never from their looks and color. This is one of this many instructions he wished would happen to the nation, America.

Lauren Komitor said...

In the "I have a dream speech", written by Martin Luther King Jr., the speech gives many distinct messages. He discusses his dream of all types of people being free, being equal and being accepted fully into society. Martin Luther King Jr., discussed in this speech his many admirations for what he dreamt the United States to be one day. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." This quote displays the overall message of what Martin Luther King Jr. was trying to convey to the nation. He wanted this dream to be obvious to the United States. He wanted every living person regardless of race, ethnicity or heritage to be equal on a single level. In being equal, he wanted everyone to have the same rights. H e wants to eliminate discrimination and for people to see that there is no difference in the color of someone’s skin.

Anonymous said...

Christina Askew
In Martin Luther King’s Speech, “I have a dream”, he instructs his people to take their rightful place, but he instructs them not to be guilty of wrongful deeds. The overall message of his speech is reinforced by these words. He is encouraging his people to seek justice and democracy, but not through violence. Martin Luther King Jr. wants to end racial injustice but he wants us to act like brothers in the process. He wants to end the bitterness and hatred between the two races.

Pariis Garcia said...

In Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech, titled "I Have a Dream," he gives many instructions to his listeners. One instruction he gives is that we must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. This means that when in a struggle or going through hard times we must always act with a high amount of dignity and discipline. His overall message is that all people should be treated equal and should be judged by who they are on the inside. Even though people might not always agree, we are all equal and should be teated with dignity. African Americans were treated unfairly during Martin Luther King Jr.'s time. Not only did they have to face segregation but many times African Americans were harshly treated with disrespect. As equals, we must act with dignity and discipline no matter what. This is how these words contribute to his overall message in the speech.

Anonymous said...

Martin Luther King Jr. gave a lot of instructions in his speech to the people. One instruction that he had given is "We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline." This instruction has to do with the rest of his speech because he wants them to get over their struggles. For example, he wants them to get equal rights as the white people do. Also, he does not want them to get rid of their dignity. He wants his race to keep their honor and respect for each other. Finally, he wants his people to obey all rules, laws, and the codes of behavior. For obeying everything, he thinks that they wouldn't have much disrespect anymore from other races.

Erica Moore said...

Erica Moore
In his “I Have a Dream” speech, Martin Luther King Jr. gave many important instructions to his listeners. Among these instructions, he said that as blacks we should strive for our rightful place in society, but do so in a lawful and respectful way. This is a very significant part of his speech. It directs the black community to pursue equality within the guidelines of humanity. King did not condone violence or the use of brute force to attain equality. His hope for the future was to see people, black and white alike, interact and walk peacefully side by side. He understood that this would take time and effort, but believed it could happen. He basically felt that any equality gained through violence or bloodshed was wrong. King’s overall message was that equality for all could be accomplished, but through peaceful measures and sheer determination.

XxR3lxX said...

Meaghan Conyers

In his speech Martin Luther King, Jr. tells his listeners to stand by what they believe in and to keep doing what they think is right. In part of his speech Mr. King says that devotees of civil rights will not be satisfied as long as a “Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing to vote for.” Mr. King also says that devotees of civil rights will not and cannot be satisfied until “Justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.” These words contribute to his overall message in the speech because according to these examples he won’t back down until civil rights are granted to African Americans, and all others who were suffering because of segregation.

Brittany Arnica said...

Brittany Arnica.

Martin Luther King, Jr. believed in many things and made a speech protesting about his beliefs. It was called the "I Have a Dream” speech. In this dream he says that he dreams that all people black and white will become one and equal. He wants this to happen because he wants to stop discrimination against blacks, like himself. He doesn’t want black to always live lower class because he always had to and he doesn’t want that for his people of the African American nationality. He thinks that black should live just as equal to the whites and should have just as many rights as the whites do. He wants them to live a safe life and not always have a name to themselves. He also followed his father’s path as in preaching about what he believes in, always had. I believe that he is and was a good man and will live in the lives of many African American people of the nation and years to come.

Anonymous said...

Allex Volpe
While trying to get his voice heard, and get his point across, Martin Luther King, Jr. gave many "instructions" in his "I Have a Dream" speech. Instructions that he wanted his listeners to hear, and to follow, until they had gotten what they deserved; racial justice.
In his speech, one of the instructions King is giving to his listeners is "to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice," telling his people to stand up for their rights and to rise from the dark, cold world they have been living in for decades.
King knows that there is a brighter future for Negro’s in years to come, as he states for them to rise up to the “sunlit path of racial justice.”
These words help contribute to his message in a powerful way. In that quote, he is trying to get the blacks to stand up for their rights, to rise out of slavery, unfairness, and discrimination and into freedom, which is his overall message in the speech. King wants to them to all stand up for freedom together, for he knows that one day, they will be free.

Pasqualina Tirro said...

Martin Luther King, Jr. says to his people that as they are waiting for their time to be treated as equals in American society, they should not commit any acts that are wrong or illegal. In searching for their equality they must not act as their aggressors have against them. As they proceed in their ambitions toward fairness and civility, they must maintain the highest level of dignity and discipline. They must not lower themselves to acts of violence, and any violence against them should be met with an overall forgiveness from within their hearts. The new rebelliousness of the Negro community does not mean that all white people cannot be trusted. This is seen by the presence of many white people in the audience today. They realize that the future of America is an even greater melting pot, which includes us blacks. The white people are also realizing that their future freedom is connected to ours because America can be stronger in unity than in division.
Martin Luther King, Jr., through his speech, is encouraging his people to search for their emotional freedom, as well as their civil rights. He wants his people to fight for these rights with nonviolence and intelligence. He wants his people to prove to the white people that their portrayal of Negroes is wrong and that they deserve the white man’s respect. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s overall message is of peace, equality, nonviolence, and unity. I believe that these particular words help prove that the black man can be intellectual, respectful, and a non-threatening asset to our society.

Siobhan Pfaff said...

In Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech he talks about racial equality for all. In one paragraph he says that we must act quickly. Also, he reminds them that we do not have “…the luxury of cooling off….” He is telling us not to make this gradual that we must make the change now not over thirty years, but today we must start. He wants people to use their anger to defeat racial injustices, right now. In addition, Martin Luther King told that the world would be a better place when everyone was equal. The instructions in this paragraph were to start the change right now and the world would be a better place for everyone.
King’s words give his message power. “…Tranquilizing drug of gradualism…” The word choice of tranquilizing drug is so power because it is referring directly to changing inequality right now. He wants people to feel the pain of being ostracized and put down day after day to end the horrors of racial inequality. He wants the “white” men to help. He does not want them to go home and say “It does not affect me so I do not need to assist those who require my assistance.” He wants them to go home willing to except the African Americans as brothers. This is how one of his word choices helped him with his message.
Another quote that helps King’s message is “the sunlit path of racial justice.” This quote gives you a sensory image because everyone thinks of sunlit path as a nice warm place. As well, people would want to be on a sunlit path more than a dark one. Furthermore, sun is associated with happy and joyous times. Additionally, the quote allows people to correlate racial justice with good things such as taking a nice walk in the fall through a nature trail with the sun shining down on the path covered with the leaves of oranges, reds, yellows, and browns. King really knew how to appeal to people in more than one way.

Brittany Fallon said...

"In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force."

Dr. King is explaining that violence is not the answer to the problems that colored people face with whites. Violent and brutal acts may bring temporary satisfaction, but in the end no change is made in the everyday struggles of the Negro community. The prejudiced and segregated ways of life have cause many feelings of anger, hatred, and a want for vengeance. Dr. King is instructing to rise above these emotions. By overcoming these challenges, a man will gain a sense of pride, and live a life of morals.
In order to live in harmony as one country, one people, we have to let go of the past and move on towards a brighter future. The most important part of the gain of equal rights is to be sure that all are equal under the law and justice is served. Punishment should be given to those who truly deserve it, and we should not be judged by our past. We are not capable of changing history, but we can create a better future for ourselves. The way of achieving a new and more rewarding way of life is through acceptance of others and their mistakes.
Dr. Martin Luther King wanted a better life for his children, and a better future for our country. He knew that over the years of segregation and slavery many African Americans had a lot of anger and bitterness towards white people of America, and one of the easiest ways to release these feelings is through violence and aggression. Dr. King understood that his dream of a better world would never be achieved through acts of violence and punishment. The emotions that built up over the years had to be let go, and all people of the U.S. would need to start anew. Every man has to live his life in a moralistic way in order to live in harmony with each other. In order to have justice in a country, citizens need to accept and respect one another. Equal rights and fair treatment begins within the people themselves.

Unknown said...

It is obvious today that America has failed to to live up to its ibligation to its citizens as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has not lived up to the promises they made to the negro people. The government wont allow them to take advantege of all the promised opporunities. They now want those rights prmised to them they have waited to long they want what was promised and they want it now. this is no time to slow down and just wait for america to decide when they will follow up their promises they need to act now and act sufficiently. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to stop racism and segregation. Now is the time to get along, to stop the difference of school,parks,clubs, ect; based on culture. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.
These words contribute to the overall message of his speech because his speech was about how the “white” americans robbed them of their rights for too long. This shows how now they want their rights and their not taking no for an answer. It also talks about how everything that the white people did, such as the segregation of people, must end. This was another thing that helped emphsize the overall message of the speech. This all contributes to the overall message of his speech.

elizabeth coraci said...

"And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall march ahead. We cannot turn back."
Martin Luther King Jr. is giving instructions in his speech. These instuctions are telling the people to keep fighting for freedom. He wants them to perservere without stopping or going back. Freedom is a very important issue that these instructions contribute to.

Anonymous said...

In the entry of "I have a dream" Martin Luther uses the phrase "Let freedom ring." This is an example of an anaphora. What Martin Luther means is that wherever you are people should be free and be able to do what they want. This relates to the speech because he gives examples saying that one day he hopes whites will join hands with blacks, people wont judge blanks by the color of their skin, and that their will be no slaves. These examples all show how freedom is needed and wanted and people want freedom no matter where they go so people do not look at them in different way and judges them.

alexisArgentinee said...

Alexis Argentine

In Martin Luther King Jr's speech I have a dream, he gives many "instructions" to his listeners. In his speech he says " Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred." His words contribute to his overall message in the speech by explaining that african americans should not do bad things when wanting and trying to get their freedom. This relates to the speech because it is telling about his dream of having freedom as an african american.

Anonymous said...

Nicole Sammon
English 9 Section 4

An apartheid is a policy of racial segregation and discrimination enforced by white minority governments in South Africa.

The title 'Glory and Hope' is appropriate for Nelson Mandela's because in his speech, Mandela tells South Africa that he will bring freedom for the. He said there would be glory for all and that there is hope for a brighter future.

Unknown said...

KerriAnn McCafferty
In the "I have a dream" speech, Martin Luther King, Jr. gives instructions to all those who were listening to him. One part of the speech that gives instruction is the part of the speech that talks about letting freedom ring. He is telling us to let freedom ring in evry single part of this country. The entire speech is about rights and freedom gives fair rights to everyone. his speech inspired many people to follow their dreams for equal rights and today, partly because of this speech, every one has equal rights in our country.

alanna bergstrom said...

Alanna Bergstrom

Martin Luther King Jr. gave us many “ instructions" in his, “ I Have a Dream” speech. One of the most important instructions he gave basically tells us we must put aside all of our differences, and have respect for one another. Many people were not treated equal, some people even considered African Americans to be dirt at the time, just because they looked a little different. Racism is still a problem today, but was an even bigger problem then. The hatred racism caused, lead to riots, murders, etc. If people learned to accept others and just ignore the differences of people, so all you see is a regular human being, maybe we can finally live in a world with less hatred and violence. We were all created different for a reason, and there is a difference between being different and being equal. Because we are all different, we are all equal, and we should all be treated that way.