In 1963, Martin Luther King made a lasting impression on the world with his “I have a dream speech” delivered from the Lincoln memorial. Since then the I have a dream speech summary written by many all over the world has immortalized that path breaking speech. The impact was as lasting as the American Declaration of independence itself. It has since been the expression of freedom and life of dignity for millions of the Black community all over the world. He was arguing on rational grounds. Does the colour of the skin determine the innate merit of an individual? Are things in life really that simple? Can discrimination be justified on racial grounds? The answer is a simple No; however it is difficult to drive home the point. It takes extraordinary leadership and steely determination to wage the battle against irrationality. Martin Luther King provided that extraordinary leadership to the world.

The Bible declares in quite unequivocal terms that all men are born equal. He drew upon the moral strength of the Bible to argue against irrationality in dealings of men with one another.  Why should practice be different from precept, especially when the precept is drawn from the Bible itself His arguments were therefore both passionate and powerful.

The speech has been appreciated both for its intellectual merit and its spirit.

The I have a dream speech summary can be studied in two parts. The first calls for urgent action since “Now is the time”. The second calls upon America to live her dream, based on ““we can never be satisfied” ideal; to constantly strive for perfection and set higher standards of integrity to emulate.

The most famous statement in the speech is “I have a dream”. The dream was of equality and universal brotherhood; for day when the slave owners and the slaves shall talk to each other on equal terms.

Like Mahatma Gandhi he sought to convert the unjust with moral force. He used moral force to make the Governor of Alabama aware of the injustice he was perpetrating. His often used phrase let the freedom ring struck a chord with the people. The ideal way to end the I have a Dream speech summary would be to quote him:

“This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a 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 mountainside, let freedom ring."