I Have a Dream” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“
(Second Reading – Meaning - ANSWERS)
1. Who was this “great American”? Abraham Lincoln – they are standing by the Lincoln Memorial
2. What is the Emancipation Proclamation? A proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln
that went into effect on January 1, 1863, declaring freedom for all slaves in states still in rebellion
against the federal government.
3. What are “the flames of withering injustice”? Slavery – the act of a person owning another
person.
4. Paraphrase this section into your own words: The Emancipation Proclamation gave hope to
slaves who had been treated badly.
5. Using your knowledge of history, why does Dr. King say that “the Negro…finds himself an exile
in his own land”? At this time, African-Americans were forbidden to eat, drink, travel, study, stay
with other races, and be separated in all things.
6. Paraphrase this section into your own words: 100 years after slavery was abolished, AfricanAmericans still suffered from segregation, separating them from others, coupled with enduring
continued discrimination in many aspects of their lives.
7. What is this “check” that Dr. King refers to? The promise of equality that was guaranteed in
the Declaration of Independence – equal access to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
8. How has America defaulted on this check? They have treated African Americans unequally.
9. Paraphrase this section into your own words: The Declaration of Independence said that all
men are equal. Yet, when African-Americans expect the government and people to honor this
promise, they are told that they are not considered equal, so they in effect, do not have the same
opportunities and are therefore, not equal.
10. Who is Dr. King addressing in this section (what race)? African-Americans (one can tell
because he tells them not to cool off or give in to gradualism).
11. What is the King’s main idea in this section? African-Americans need to press on in their quest
for civil rights, and not slow down or give up.
12. Who is Dr. King talking to in this section? The entire nation, particularly those who want
African-Americans to slow or stop their pursuit of civil rights (whites).
13. What does this section mean? The civil rights movement will continue, and that
demonstrations and the like will not stop until civil rights are granted.
14. Who is Dr. King addressing in this section? African-Americans (“my people”)
15. What is Dr. King’s message in this section? That while working for civil rights, AfricanAmericans should not become bitter, hateful, or violent.
16. What is Dr. King’s message in this section? That African-Americans must work with those
whites who believe in civil rights to achieve their goal. Specifically, some whites believe that their
future depends on civil rights for all.
17. Paraphrase this section into your own words: The civil rights movement will not end until
police brutality is a thing of the past, segregation is over, economic opportunities are available to
all, African Americans are not limited to ghettoes, allowed to vote, and have suitable candidates
to vote for.
18. Who is Dr. King addressing to in this section? Those who have suffered while fighting for civil
rights.
19. What is Dr. King’s message for the intended audience? Dr. King appreciates their sacrifices
and they should continue their fight. He offers them hope that their efforts will yield results.
20. What “American Dream” is Dr. King talking about? The dream that any hardworking American
can have a happy, safe, healthy life and be successful economically, no matter how their life
begins.
21. How could America live out the meaning of this creed? By giving freedom and equal
opportunity to all people.
22. In your own words, explain the “dream” that Dr. King has: People of all races, regardless of
their background or history, will be free and equal and judged for themselves and not their skin
color everywhere in the U.S., including states that are currently displaying racist behavior.
23. Paraphrase this section into your own words: Dr. King hopes that his faith in change will help
to change the country to a more free, equal society where people of all races work together for
civil rights. When equality is achieved, America will have true freedom. He wants freedom to
ring from the north and the west.
24. What do these geographical locations have in common? These are locations that did not have
slavery. They also did not support segregation at that time and are known for being less racist.
25. What do these geographical locations have in common? These are locations that supported
segregation and discrimination at that time.
26. Paraphrase this section into your own words: When freedom and equality become a reality
throughout the country, all people will be more free and will be able to celebrate together.