The Phrase The Dream Became Popular From Dr. Martin Luther

“Tell Them about the Dream, Martin!” by Drew Hansen explains the improvisation of Martin Luther King Jr. made in after the March on Washington leading to the his “I Have a Dream” speech that captivated the world. The article informs the reader about the idea of a person using a powerful phrase to highlight his optimism of racial discrimination ending, and wanting equality for all.

Privilege is defined as “a special advantage or authority possessed by a particular person or group” in the Cambridge Dictionary. Globally, white individuals are often granted privileges than minority groups do not receive. While white privilege often goes unnoticed by white individuals, it causes many disadvantages for people of color and effects how they see themselves. Furthermore, Affirmative Action attempts to equal the playing field for minorities but is faced with contention by many white people.

America is supposed to be the land of opportunities. A place where you are free to do anything and become whoever you want to be but this does not apply to everyone. One of the reasons for Coates disagreement is the permanent racial injustice in America. People might think that the war between black and white people is over but this is not true. Daily, we can see many cases about racial injustice like when a white man with power treats other black workers as if they were inferior to him. Not only white people treat black people this way but there are many other cases in which you can see black folks discriminate white folks and this can also be seen through public media. Coates thinks that the war between black people and white people will be a permanent one, and because of this, he is also afraid that his son needs to be more prepared for the

White privilege is a form of structural racism where whites are routinely advantaged while producing adverse outcomes for people of color such as Blacks and Hispanics. White privilege is a historically based system which still exists in the United States (US). In my view, white privilege system marked the beginning of racial inequality in the US. White privilege exists in the United States and is one of the contributing factors to the injustices people with color are facing in the US.

Coates reveals that he understands the reality of black men in America. “Ethos is a rhetorical device through the author reveals his or her creditability to discuss the topic at hand.” (Kemp13). Coates shows throughout part one that he truly understand what it is like to live as a black man in America today. “ To be black in Baltimore of my youth was to be naked before the elements of the world, before all the guns, fists, knives, crack, rape, and disease.” (Coates 17). Coates displays that growing up black in Baltimore was a true challenge due to the racism, even before all the violence was added. Coates builds his credibility by giving the

Growing up Martin Luther King. Jr had a happy middle class life, but even with all of this he still noticed social problems. His father was a respected preacher, his mother was a college-educated musician, and his grandmother, who lived with them, was extremely fond of him. He was also close to his older sister and younger brother, who started college at fifteen.

“What I told you is what your grandparents tried to tell me: that this is your country, that this is your world, that this is your body, and you must find some way to live within the all of it.” (Coates). This powerful quote exemplifies the mistreatment of blacks in America as something that has been prevalent throughout our nation’s history and is still present in our contemporary world. Our national founding document promised that “All men are created equal”. As a nation we have never achieved the goal of equality largely because of the institution of slavery and its continuing repercussions on American society.

White privilege is the societal privileges that specifically benefit white people. White privilege is why white people can get pulled over by the police and escape a ticket with just a smile and apology. White privilege is also why whites are in charge of a company and they see a black person, they bypass the application. Whites carry a certain privilege not available to people of color. Marilyn Frye describes how whiteness is a form social and political power.

Ta-Nehisi Coates’ essay, The Case for Reparations, is a rhetorical essay focused on attempting to convince American’s that the descendants of African-Americans are owed something since their ancestors were a key part of the foundation of this nation. His main audience is clearly African Americans, but my question is how well he does convincing other demographics. Can he convince Asians, Caucasians, or Hispanics? What about single mothers in Kentucky? If Ta-nehisi Coates is unable to convince more than just his target audience then it can be argued that he did not do a great job of communicating his ideas to everyone.

The so called "Dream" that Coates refers to is a state of illusion and privilege and that mostly applies whites because they are the majority and the historical ramifications of that fact. However, this claim also applies to other groups of people. Coates makes the claim that there are those in the African-American community and other minorities who have been able to refuse the reality of society and become one of those who are living in the "Dream". Those who live in the "Dream" divide themselves from others, valuing those lives with less value. Coates makes the claim that by having the "Dream" people are unable to understand the environment that being brought up on the street can provide, nor will the ever be able to truly sympathize. This use of language, though entirely understandable from

Although Coates is describing his perception of the “American Dream” that he has wanted to escape to for so long, he refers to it as “The Dream”, citing that “it has never been an option (to escape to) because this Dream rest on our backs.” Coates further explains that this “Dream” was built on the backs of slaves, and made possible by racism and oppression. The “Dream” is only primarily accessible to whites, and blacks rarely have a chance to live it; it is does not apply to all Americans.

Martin Luther King Jr. acted as a catalyst for change influencing many to join a nonviolent stance against injustice. The historic “I have a dream speech” motivated people to stand up peacefully. Comparing the I have a Dream speech to todays society demonstrates that a message regarding passion to achieve a goal can be applied to the growing complexity of the twenty-first century. The American dream is continuously adapting but the

“ I have a dream… “ said Martin Luther King Jr. a dream that was considered “impossible” at the during the misconceptions between blacks and whites. Although some believe that dreaming big ort thinking outside the box is a waste of time because your not quite sure what the outcome will be, is what holds people back and we tend to loose opportunity’s when we do.

In the I Have a Dream speech, Martin Luther King was illustrating how it has been nearly 100 years since the end of slavery. However, despite these changes, there are still tremendous amounts of inequality and prejudice that exist towards African Americans in society. Evidence of this can be seen with King saying, "Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as 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 captivity. But one hundred years later, we must face the tragic fact that the Negro is still not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is

The history of America in the 20th century is the story of losses and findings, disappointment and constant struggle for equal human rights. In this context, the unique “I Have a Dream” speaker is the first person, who comes to mind when talking about the civil rights movement of America of those times. Martin Luther King has not accidentally become the symbol of hope for black people, as he beneficially differed from any other political leader of the time, thanks to his radical approach, determination to succeed and enough courage to confront racial injustice, multiplied by immense charisma.