‘Tell Them About the Dream’

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On a hot summer day in Washington, D.C., Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood on a stage at the Lincoln Memorial as 250,000 people anxiously awaited his words. This historic day was organized by two of Dr. King’s closest advisors: his attorney Clarence B. Jones and New York businessman Stanley Levison. The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963 remains one of the most significant events of the American civil rights movement and one of the largest rallies for human rights in United States history.

Jones and Levison meticulously planned the event, meeting with Dr. King to shape the messaging of his speech. “We felt that Martin had an obligation to provide leadership, offering a vision that we were involved in action, not activity; a clear-eyed assessment of the challenges we faced and a road map of how we could best meet those challenges,” Jones, who also served as King’s draft speechwriter, explained in his book, Behind the Dream: The Making of the Speech that Transformed a Nation.

The night before the March, a final meeting was held to refine the details of the speech. Initially, the organizers intended for Dr. King to speak midway through the program. Jones objected, insisting that King should be the final speaker, giving him ample time to deliver his powerful message.

As Dr. King began his speech, gospel singer Mahalia Jackson sat in the celebrity section on the stage. Jackson had a special relationship with Dr. King. “When Martin would get low … he would track Mahalia down, wherever she was, and call her on the phone,” Jones recounted in Behind the Dream. Jackson was a trusted confidante, and she knew how to inspire him.

Dr. King, a masterful orator with impeccable voice inflection and timing, paused during his speech. From the back of the stage, Jackson called out, “Tell them about the dream, Martin. Tell them about the dream.” Encouraged by her words, Dr. King set aside his prepared text and began to ad lib, delivering the renowned “I Have a Dream” section of the speech.

The speech is one of the most iconic in American history, characterized by its powerful delivery and vivid imagery. Here'show he crafted it:

1. Context and Purpose: King addressed a large crowd advocating for civil rights and economic justice. His goal was to inspire hope, articulate the struggles of African Americans, and emphasize the urgent need for change.

2. Use of Historical References: King drew on American ideals and foundational documents, such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He referenced the "promissory note" that America had failed to honor regarding equality for all its citizens.

3. Personal Experiences: King grounded his message in personal experiences and the harsh realities of racial injustice faced by African Americans.

4. Imagery and Symbolism: The speech’s vivid metaphors and symbols—like the "bad check" and "the mountain of despair"—painted a stark picture of racial inequality.

5. Repetition and Rhythm: King’s use of repetition, especially the phrase “I have a dream,” created a musical cadence that emphasized his vision for the future.

6. Call to Action: The speech concluded with a stirring call to action, urging the audience to persist in the fight for civil rights and to work collectively for a brighter future.

Dr. King’s "I Have a Dream" speech combined eloquent rhetoric, moral authority, and a profound understanding of historical context, making it a defining moment in the civil rights movement and American history. Today, we honor his vision and continue striving to make his dream a reality.

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