The Hope and Dream

Dr. King was a powerful and moving orator who spoke with uncommon eloquence:

“Here is the true meaning and value of compassion and nonviolence. When it helps us to see the enemy’s point of view, to hear his questions, to know his assessment of ourselves. For from this view we may indeed see the basic weaknesses of our own condition, and if we are mature, we may learn and grow and profit from the wisdom of the brothers we call the opposition.”

“A Time to Break Silence” from A Testament of Hope

“If there is to be peace on earth and good will toward men, we must finally believe in the ultimate morality of the universe, and believe that all reality hinges on moral foundations.”

A Christmas Sermon on peace in A Testament of Hope

Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech was presented to a rapt audience of thousands at the March On Washington, August 28, 1963. It is perhaps his most famous and most quoted oratory. The following description is by Congressman John Lewis, present at the March:

“The dream. Many of us had heard Dr. King talk about his “dream.” It had become one of his favorite images, and he had used it several times recently, he had delivered the essence of his “dream” speech to a gathering of insurance executives in Detroit. But this was different audience, a different time, and different place. This was truly history, and Dr. King knew it. We all knew it. We’d known it. We’d known it with our own speeches, and he knew it with his. He was responding to the occasion. He was speaking not just to the massive audience before us, but to the President, to Congress, to the nation, to the world. He felt the immensity of the moment, and he delivered.”

John Lewis with Michael D’Orso, Walking Against the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement

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The Hope and Dream