On August 28, 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D., delivered his speech "I have a Dream" to America. The speech expresses King's hopes of the civil rights movement, as the black people were still being treated with inequality and injustice, in spite of the Emancipation Proclamation. He dared to dream of what the country could be at its best, in the face of what often was its worst. King"s speech was appropriately delivered on the centennial of the original issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln. Kings ability to articulate the Negro's grievances are shown in the contents of his speech, he wanted nothing more than for the oppressed to have equality. "I have a Dream" shows his character, as well as the character of all his followers. .
Not only did the people make Martin Luther King great, a substantial part of King's success as an orator was due to his uses of rhetoric in his speeches. King was able to express his ideas in a way that was poetic and made for very a successful presentation. He was able to master the field of communication and therefore was able to present one of the most inspirational, successful and unforgettable speeches in history. He received support and loyalty from his followers by encouraging peaceful demonstrations, fighting without fists and maintaining dignity as he said "let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred". He communicated the longings, the hopes, and the aspirations of the all people in a most earnest and profound manner. King appeared to be a humble man, down to earth and honest, yet strong, forthright and fierce. He aspired to save the nation and its soul, not just the Negro. .
"One hundred years later, the Negro still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land"2. He was taking a stand and acknowledging that white people are continuing to not accept black people as part of society or as having any rights, not real human beings.