Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, and died on April 4, 1968. He was an American Baptist minister, activist, humanitarian, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights through nonviolent civil disobedience based on his Christian beliefs.
His speech, "I Have a Dream," which was delivered on August 28, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., in the US, has been catalogued among the world's hundred greatest speeches. Please find below excerpts of his speech:
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day, on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists and its governor having his lips dripping with the words "interposition" and "nullification," little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."
And his dream came to pass: not only did many Blacks find their rightful places in society, but a Blackman became president of the United States of America!
Folks, like Martin Luther King, Jr., I have a dream too.
I have a dream that the young man from Bole will become president again come January next year, and the economy of Ghana will grow stronger, the cedi will strengthen against major international currencies, and the prices of petroleum products will be stabilised with their corresponding stabilisation in transport fares.
With the continuation of massive infrastructure, I have a dream that the people of Ghana will enjoy good healthcare, fine roads, and an abundant supply of good drinking water. And our children will have a quality and accessible education.
I have a dream that, with the 24-hour economy policy, our youth will soon have lucrative jobs to do.
I have a dream that dumsor will end and never occur again, and that there will be enough electricity for local consumption and export.
Like Martin Luther King, I also have a dream that every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together. And President Mahama's name will go down as one of the greatest African leaders of all time.