Narrative+Essay


 * How effective was Martin Luther King Jr. speech "I Have a Dream" in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's.**

When you say the Civil Rights Movement to most people the first thing that comes to their mind is things such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. Even though these people had an essential part in the furthering of the movement and the progress the movement had made in Congress it was more of their actions and speeches that made a difference and an impression. Speeches, protests, and Sit-Ins are just a few of the things that progressed the movement, but one of the most famous movements, The March on Washington, presented the country with on of the finest speeches, “I Have a Dream”, and changed the face of the Civil Rights Movement as a whole.

The March on Washington took place in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963, and was a political protest against those unfair treatments set upon southern blacks. The number of people who attended was astronomical and was estimated to be anywhere from two hundred thousand to three hundred thousand people. It’s amazing how so many people who may not be of the same race or believe the same things could share such a common interest in presenting what is best for the country. Organized by a group of civil rights, religious, and labor groups known as the “Big Six” the March on Washington presented the country with Martin Luther King Jr. who delivered his ever famous “I have a Dream” speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

The speech that was delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech is one that is known by almost every American throughout the country. Say the first few lines and even children will know what you are talking about. With this popularity, the speech also gave great results and effected the Civil Rights Movement in a big way. Also the speech allowed the put King and the movement as a whole in the limelight and give them a sort of ‘celebrity’ like status making them the icon of the news and giving their whole cause publicity. King’s speech changed the face of the movement as well, and allowed progress to be made within the legislature in the passing of the Civil Rights Act by Congress that ultimately ended discrimination amongst people and banned segregation throughout the country.

Over all, the “I Have a Dream” speech presented by King was very effective and got the crowd pumped up and ready to go with whatever they had to do progress the movement. The speech became one of the most famous and allowed the movement to be publicly viewed and noticed and gave it the much needed publicity to get where they needed to be. Which ultimately in the end led to the ending of racial discrimination and led to Martin Luther King Jr.’s accomplishment of achieving the Nobel Peace Prize.