African-American's Dream - Essay Example

341922 - REWRITE: African-Americans’ Dream In an survey taken in US 81% of the students knew about the slavery the blacks had undergone decades ago but only 40% knew that the famous soul stirring speech by Martin King Jr. was not delivered to abolish slavery but was delivered exactly 100 years after the emancipation treaty. This is the present day condition not much different from 1963 when the speech was delivered. (Strauss,2007) (1) As explained in the earlier part of the essay, the central dogma of my argument revolves about the race that gathered together to dramatize their demand for freedom and security of justice, that is still unrealized even after 100 years after Emancipation Declaration ,an declaration signed to dramatically end African-Americans captivity from slavery. The lucrative agenda’s in the emancipation that promised for their inalienable right of life liberty & pursuit of happiness, as stated in the Constitution still remains Unfulfilled, the segregation and discrimination still persist. And now, due to urgency of the realization, without turning back from their cause, they are demanding for its virtual realization through non-violence mean the most effective mean. I still personally think that nonviolence, the peaceful process is the way through which the justice that still on paper but to hard reach by the blacks can be achieved. I still stress peaceful method as a way though I know violence may bring in immediate effect, as violence begets violence and African Americans militancy should not cause hatred, bitterness and distrust towards white for both their destiny and freedom are tied and bounded together. (Lunsford, Andre et al) (2) Here I want to cite some examples that remain as the golden pages in the book of history, the bird’s eye view of certain leaders and their life whose dream and passion was to relive their people from oppression for which they chose nonviolence as the tool. Martin Luther King, Jr, born in 1929, was a Baptist minister and social activist was the forerunner of civil right movement, from mid 1950 to 1968 when he was assassinated. His far sightedness and stern leadership was the fundamental for the end of segregation of African Americans in US which fetched him the Nobel Prize for peace in 1964. The civil rights movement was the most vital social movement in the twentieth century, waged against racial segregation in the 1950’s and the 1960’s. This struggle leads to the right for black southerners to vote and paved way for racial equality. Dr.  Martin Luther King, Jr. is a greatest and most articulate African-American dreamer and writer who’s passionate intensity poured out in the powerful sermon of the speech “I have a dream”, that symbolizes the courage and inner strength to dream out loud for the Negro’s. (http://www.brittanica.com/eb/article - 9045504 Martin Luther King, Jr.) (3) The best icon that is highly visible as an person who fought oppression inequality and injustice with nonviolence is Mahatma Gandhi, who laid great emphasis on the importance of ahimsa or non-violence .He conceived the concepts of non-violent technique of satyagraha to achieve ones goals through which he achieved the Indian independence for which he is reverently referred as the e father of the nation..His famous movements in the freedom fight has been the Dandi March, Quit India movement, civil disobedience, all served in ahimsa way. Though imprisoned and tortured many times he never deterred from his goal and as fondly King remembers he was his source of inspiration, the man who showed the power of nonviolence. (Majumdar,1997) (4) Also many living dignitaries as Nelson Mandela who fought in Gandhian way for the African people, Aung San Suu Kyi who is fighting for the restoration of democracy in Burma are the people who had proved their path with lots of will, patience and the unfazed attitude towards defeats above all with the common tool of nonviolence. Thus for the African American to attain the equality also I think nonviolence is the route. Her are also other points to remember and worked through To bring in that major change they should initiate the move themselves instead of expecting a white or an Indian to initiate it for them. They should also strive hard to reconcile and iron out the minor difference with in them for the common good cause else it will result in fragmentation and lack of solidarity that would in future dilute the cause. By getting together and rising as one force they can threaten the America’s overlooking tendency with the impending unrest and revolt until citizens rights has been granted and justice emerges.    Group demonstrations that turns out as an violent outburst ends up only as a show of unity but never achieves the objective or justify the end; Thus if ever freedom, justice and equality were granted for its own sake one-sidedly without the soul in it would remain as a half cooked attempt and would deny its true meaning, for in the end the other party (Whites) would just take their stand. For any strong move definitely there would arise an opposition and in this case also it can be anticipated as The main possible counterpoint here would be that Emancipation Declaration has everything necessary, complete in its entirety including Negroes redress. Than the question arises as, why then do Negroes still experience social segregation and discrimination on transport and hotel accommodation which needs to be answered. Another the possible objections that could arouse would be that 100% implementation of non-violent action is highly improbable. The answer would be why wont America implements 100% of what has been written in the Emancipation Declaration and in the Constitution. If that has occurred so, the result would had been different even over the first quarter of that century soon after it was written And last on the notion that slight stain of hatred and bitterness towards white cannot be avoided: - a fulfilled man is a happy man, contented with what he possessed and whose scar of discontent and hatred would heal sooner than later, thus when the end is achieved the faster gelling of scar can be expected. (Lunsford, Andre et al) Another great hue that can be expected is the Reparations for Slavery Though it is true that black individuals are not enslaved currently, they had been oppressed from the days of slavery.  Some people infact may feel that black people now should not receive any reparations for slavery as it was not them who suffered and the white people from today were not part of yesterday’s scene. But the problem with this is that blacks are still oppressed and the privileged white person is still receiving benefits from slavery.  Black people still now generally live in poverty and are less likely to receive an education, meaning that in future their children and even grand children will live in poverty so on.  I am not implying the United States Government give reparations like they do for the Native Americans, I am implying that they should the continue with Affirmative Action as Affirmative Action is necessary to help the general black society out of poverty with first preference to be given to areas of employment and education.  If the goal is not reached, the privileged white man would keep the power. In future at some point affirmative action goal shall be reached and there will no longer be a need for it. To achieve the United States promise for equal opportunity, affirmative action is the key.  It is for the nation’s best interest to create a more inclusive society that provides genuine equality of opportunity.  This program would strengthen, the national community, and promote economic well-being, and maximize the benefits of the nation.    The purpose for Affirmative Action is to give the black man a chance in this privileged white man nation; earlier preference to black is needed, as a race would bring justice only if all the participants are equal in strength. Thus the purpose of the essay is to dramatize the Negroes cry for freedom and justice and to re- awaken them that 100 years is too long a waiting for the full implementation of what has been written in the Declaration and to strongly inform America that there is no such time as appropriate timing for its realization other than now. If any thing as good time is there it is now. If this movement would win the fight for equality then Martin Luther’s dream of an slaves son and slave owners son walking hand in hand would never be only an dream and lets hope that I s achieved soon for the world to rejoice the fact that men born in the world are one and equal. Bibliography 1. Strauss, Valerie, 2007. "Despite Lessons on King, Some Unaware of His Dream, Washington Pos, 15 January, sec.2:01. 2. Lunsford, Andre et al; Everything’s An Argument With Readings; 3rd Edition 3. http://www.brittanica.com/eb/article - 9045504 Martin Luther King, Jr 4. R.C. Majumdar. History of the Freedom Movement in India. ISBN 0-8364-2376-3, reprint. Calcutta, Firma KLM, 1997, vol. III. Read More