'(1 HAVE A DREAM ..."
(Copyright 1963,MARTIN LUTHER KING,JR.)
Speech by the Rev. MARTIN LUTHER KING
At the "March on Washington"
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 is 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. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still badly
crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of
discrimination. One hundred gears later the Negro lives
on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean
of materia1 prosperity. One hundred years later the
Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself in exile in his own land.
So
we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.
In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash
a cheque. When the architects of our Republic wrote the
magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration
of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to
which every American was to fall heir. This note was a
promise that ALL MEN - yes, black men as well as white
men-would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note in-so-far as her citizens of colour are concerned. Instead of honouring this sacred obligation, America has given the
Negro people a bad cheque, a cheque which has come back
marked "insufficient funds. "
But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is
bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient
funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation.
So we've come to cash this cheque, a check that will give
us, upon demand, the riches of freedom and the security of
justice.
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. 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 quicksands of racial injustice to the solid
rock of brotherhood.
Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of
God's children. It would be fatal for the nation to over-look the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until
there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.
1963 is not an end but a beginning. Those who hope
that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be
content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual.
There will be neither rest nor tranquility In America,
until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The
whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright days of justice emerges.
And that is something that I must say to my people who stand at the worn threshold which leads into the palm
of justice. 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 protests to degenerate into physical violence. Again
and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting
physical force with soul force. The marvellous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not
lead us to distrust all white people, for many of our white
brother's, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our
destiny.
They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.
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?" 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 bodies,heavy
with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the
motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities.
We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic
mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We
can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their adulthood and robbed of their dignity by signs
stating "For Whites Only." We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and the Negro in New York believes
he has nothing for which to vote.
No, no, we are not satisfied, and will we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousnous
like a mighty stream.
I am mindful that some of you have come here
out of great trials and tribulation. Some of you have
come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have '
come from areas where your quest for freedom left you
battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by
the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans'
of creative suffering.
Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering
is redemptive. 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 our
Northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.
I say to you today,my friends, though, even though
we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow,I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise
up, live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these
truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
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, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day
live in a land where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream . . . I have a dream that one day in Alabama, with it's vicious racists, with its governor having his lips
dripping with the words of interposition and nullification,
one day right there 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 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 wild 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 discord 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 he free one 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 mountain side, let freedom ring." And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true. So let freedom
sing from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies
of Pennsylvania. Let freedom ring from the snowcapped
Rockies of Colorado. Let freedom ring from the curva-
cious slopes of California.
But not only that. Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia. Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee. Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi, from every mountain side. Let freedom ring . . .
When we allow freedom to ring - when we let it ring
from every city and every hamlet, from every state and
every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and
Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual,
"Free at last, Free at last, Great God almighty, We are
free at last."
(Copyright 1963, MARTIN LUTHER KING,
JR.)
Comments
1074310323: 77 Why does Aero have to be such an asshole to me? 1074330001: 32 I like this song.. because I made it. Sorry, just testing the reviewer comments option. 1074358288: 18094 Nice progressive track, not too cheesy. I imagine the track as a good warm up club track to get everyone in the mood. 1074358467: 18094 Being a 'Ex' Roland MC-303 musician myself I can clearly hear the style, and its not an easy beast to master. Well done. 1074518346: 18094 Reminds me of some of my early experimental music, which is not a bad thing so keep it up. 1074518604: 18094 A good remix attempt. 1074522575: 18094 This track should be featured in a Lord of the Rings film, very atmospheric. 1074522798: 18094 I've recently went to see the latest Tom Cruise film: 'The Last Samurai' and this track brought back the memories! Nice one. 1092974070: 1792 Yo, love your stuff. 1074672359: 104 Ahh... the lovely vocals and music of 2fragge. Makes me all warm n' fuzzy inside. :) droll7 1074695625: 18094 Wow!, very impressive, this has got to be one of the best hip hop tracks I've heard this year. Full marks 10/10. Congrats Atom, Brilliant. 1074695786: 18094 Excellent track from i3, I like this very much, it's got the punch, it flows very well, very catchy and would go down a storm in the clubs! 1114634358: 6123 Cant seem to e-mail u my friend, but if ur comments were serious about ur next party....then we would love to be a part of it, kick ass night man, peace. 1074696208: 18094 Cool I like this track is so different. I wasn't too keen at the start but it grows on you and comes to life after about 30 secs. Fantastic! 1074696420: 18094 It's starting to grow on me now........ Music is a funny old thing. Or has this track been changed? 1074728300: 19319 good music especially considering the compact studio you have. Keep at it and bang away at vinyl pressing A+R depts 1074745549: Yeah man you said it all.. 1074747841: Very nice again, can we have 1 , 2 and 3? 1074748553: I love the end too. 1074750186: I love this, the bass just makes me scream, "oh yeah baby" and then the Rhodes brings me sideways back and round just to be caught in a shakey head groove with the scratching.mmm nice.
1074750559: Love it babay... 1133368316: 11367 I like the vibe on these tracks. 1074781690: 18094 I can't help but love Kumbh Mela Project for putting my mind at peace. Everything I've heard about this project so far is totally professional and top class. Keep it up. 1091860382: 74 Really interesting... i like your style a lot. 1074817324: kickin! 1074825689: 55 ...very very cool 1074836150: 109 This is killer- jazzy, funky and a really refreshing break from the norm. Scandalous if this doesn't make it big... 1074868392: 18094 10/10 AWESOME TRACK! One of my favourite mainstream bands at the moment is 'Ultrabeat' riding high in the UK charts. DJ Destruction's tracks are just as good... keep it up, I'll look out for you on 'Top Of The Pops' one day! 1074868963: 18094 Congratulations to Papa Miyamoto for artist of the week, with music as good as this I can see why. It deserves to get noticed. Experimental music doesn't get any better than this. 1074872428: The photo did it for me fella. Go for it Blackabilly... Groovy Track 1074874396: a great track that demands repeated listens, the production work is outstanding, vocals are a pleasure to listen to..Top Marks 1074874610: Remember us when your VERY BIG. 1133368629: 16106 OK. I feel it homie. Chance is the a.k.a. (R&B) 1074918143: 18094 Good solid track and I can see the Benny Benassi influence in this one. Nice one Jono 1075047127: 18094 I'm not too keen on this track, the main rift seems out of tone, but then again I went out last night for a heavy drinking session, so it could just be me. 1075047236: 18094 Taps them on the knee with a reflex hammer and gives a thumbs up. 1075083405: 89 nice stuff man, simple, as the truth always is. 1075150468: I find myself walkin around with the phrase 'get down with the fungus mungus' constantly wanting to come out my mouth. Is there a Los Guys Betty Ford Clinic?
Gotta love it, propellerheads and shirley bassey scared off now I reckon. 1075166818: 18094 Nice human beatbox. 1075166876: 18094 Impressive! 1075167034: 18094 Good use of the software, doesn't sound like a standard eJay track, well done. 1075167145: 18094 Another good track! 1075167269: 18094 Good uptempo dance track, would go down a storm in the clubs. 9/10 1113345360: 5132 I like this - lots of experimentation going on in there and consequently it's very engaging. Great playing all the way through. Like the Vox - does sound a bit 80's but thats cool with me. Great stuff :) 1075219163: 18094 Excellent track, very dark and moody but well executed. 1075304954: This is Mad! This is Great! I was a bit sceptical at the start, but something told me everything was ok.
Top Tune!!!
If I was to leave a little criticism, With a bit of clever production this could be a psychedelic monster..
1075387201: 18094 Droll surpass the bounds of making modern music and come up with some interesting and mouth watering tracks. Highly recommended. 1133368713: 16106 Hot production. Keep on grinding 1075407020: 18094 Simply beautiful, shame about the slight swearing. 1075407123: 18094 Could this be the cream of the latest hip hop crop? 1075432038: 99 i'm liking this....i'm really liking this
1110283562: 2243 Excellent work my friend! Great tones and terrific feel! 1133368757: 16106 I like the production. Nice. Chance is the name (R&B). 1075489645: 18094 This track has a lot of potential and great energy. I've got to give it top marks, gets better with each listen. 1075520059: 147 nice lyrics... I especially like "Reinvented the game cause the game got old" ...well-done. 1075521089: Theres something hauntingly familiar sounding about this track, reminds me of a more melodic version of something by Aphex Twin. I Likeee 1110286427: 1365 Love this one, I think it's one of your best. The vocals are the best sounding on this one in my opinion. Downloaded, 10 from me ;)
Mark 1095277683: 2829 Good job. I really liked the chorus, with the dual vocals. Keep up the good work. 9/10 1074359022: 18094 This has to be one of the best dance tracks of 2003. Deserves to be a Top 10 smash! 1074359083: 18094 Watch this band, they are heading for the big time. Totally magical. 1074359198: 18094 I can't find any faults with Greenhaus, latest tracks. And their new album is simply amazing. Top marks. 1074390715: 77 Other people dont seem to like it. =( 1074423820: 32 I could imagine this song playing in the background while playing Unreal Tournament. Nice work. 1074518800: 18094 Not a bad track, but doesn't punch it for me, unlike the the other tracks from i3, that I've heard. 1074519264: 18094 Interesting track, but I've heard better from Blade. 1074627051: 44 Wicked Vocals and Backing tune.
Very catchy. Congratulstions my friend.
Dont forget the cut! *winks*
Steve 1146430553: 4972 Something real funky for your ass
outstanding 1074700047: 18094 So much good music on this site, it's wild. Droll have the makings to go far. Brilliant. 1074700170: 18094 Bliss, another great track from Droll. Destined for great things in my book. 1074700255: 18094 I don't think Droll will be on MP3Unsigned for long.... they'll get snapped up by some fat cat record label before long. Great Talent. 1095005414: 2387 because you do NOT need this site to promote yourself - very unfair and completely pointless - disrupts the natural order of things - that said -0 I love the vocal.:( 1147913512: 7105 I like this. I'm a sucker for folk songs, and a lot of these folk songs can be redone in a trance style. I love this .... ! 1137676635: 13002 very good, I like the uplifting lyrics 1074745463: Cool Choon Fella, I was there...Really.
P.s. Note to listener : Listen to this back to back with welcome to Indiqa (also on this marvolous website) 1133506744: 10349 That's a rather epic track there! 1074867922: 18094 This has to be my favourite track from Phorenzik so far. Excellent. I'm not a big drum and bass fan, but this track is an exception to the rules. Brilliant. More tracks like this please Phorenzik. 10/10 1074868158: 18094 I love these catchy Ibiza style tracks... more, more, more! 1074868580: 18094 The airwaves are back-logged with up-and-coming hip hop artists, I only hope that Atom manages to break through. His style is refreshing, catchy and has a very professional sense of style. 1074868612: 18094 10/10 btw.... 1074868819: 18094 What can I say...... If anyone on MP3Unsigned is topped to be signed, I would have to put Atom on the list. Top marks again. 1074873166: Combining elements of folk and country with dashes of jive. a good melody for all occasions, an all-together wholesome sound..Hang on - Black hole
can be listened to over and over again, This is an excellent track, deep and powerful. keeps you listening.
1115413033: 6980 Come perform at my Venue. The event is called Control the Mic @ Remote. Every last tuesday of the month. The next event is May 31, 2005. $5 admission $5 to sign up and ladies are free b4 9:30pm. Remote Lounge 327 Bowery btwn 2nd and 3rd streets. check out www.kin4life.com for more info.Holla back. 1075025191: I like this because it reminds me of Santana (whom I like) and my dads old record collection (which is nostalgic). I must admit that I didnt 'get it' until I heard the Macarana sample, but that just blew me away, the timimg and post modernist statement that the sample made and the way it dissolved the ego fired lyrics. Very good and better than that other song I listened to earlier by a worserer band. 1075081605: 89 Top stuff, unfolds subtly, I was getting dusk in the Outback vibes,
~keep truckin' '04~ 1157584341: 13672 Whats up man. U r prolly one of the Hottest things to hit mp3unsigned keep up the good work and god will bless u. Jblaq.... 1075219349: 18094 For an early demo, Nocturum have got a lot of potential. Good stuff! 1075352836: 147 Talented vocals. Interesting music. But the lyrics aren't your own. Still, it's not too bad. 1075617859: 77 Yes its good, but Ejay sucks ass, because theyr all premade loops. Use fruityloops, and make your own song. Because useing Ejay is just premade crap, so its not really yours.. 1075617895: 77 Yes its good, but Ejay sucks ass, because theyr all premade loops. Use fruityloops, and make your own song. Because useing Ejay is just premade crap, so its not really yours.. 1075617908: 77 Yes its good, but Ejay sucks ass, because theyr all premade loops. Use fruityloops, and make your own song. Because useing Ejay is just premade crap, so its not really yours.. 1075701287: This is kickin baby, Primal Scream meets George Harrison. The Young Georgian Lolitaz are immaculately crafted and this is catchy, sweeping and original. 9/10 1101100051: 3618 congrats on being top 5!!! thats auper impressive....keep doing ur stuff. 1075730492: 18094 This is my 3rd track of Crumlin that I've heard, and I'm getting rather fond of their music. It's got a certain class of style. Excellent! 1075730842: 18094 Excellent, 10/10, Great sounds and impressive production. This track really made me feel good about the world. Not an easy thing to do. 1129505312: 9308 really dreamy :) well done 1075731059: 18094 Wow....... ! 9/10 1111076113: 4878 Love the build up,Its well worth the wait,what a brilliant piece of music.a definate for my own collection. 1075755700: gotta love this....
Great website as well 1075774401: 18094 You don't have to be a Country fan to appreciate good music. Good track. 1075774461: 18094 Another good track Shaun, you had me tapping my feet.