Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., predicted a future where America fulfills its founding promise of equality for all, with racial justice and brotherhood prevailing. He foresaw continued unrest until these rights were granted, but believed that peaceful protests would lead to success. King envisioned a society where people are judged by character, not skin color, and all children play together without racial barriers. His vision began to materialize with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Martin Luther King Jr. viewed 1963 as a beginning because he recognized that the civil rights movement's achievements were insufficient to eradicate racism and discrimination in the U.S. He envisioned a future where individuals were judged by character, not skin color, but knew that marches, demonstrations, and upcoming legislation wouldn't wholly resolve these issues. He anticipated a long struggle, acknowledging the deep-rooted history of slavery and systemic racism, and understood that true equality was yet to be achieved.

Martin Luther King kept repeating "I have a dream" to underscore that his "dream" was aspirational and not reality. He repeats the phrase eight times, creating a chorus to underscore that his dream, that people of all colors will live together without oppression and racial violence, is not reality. He adds "Today!" twice to show that the reality is very different from the dream and to emphasize that now is the time to bring about change.

Dr. King's dream is rooted in the American Dream, which refers to the opportunities and freedoms that are available in America to everyone. Dr. King believes this dream will become a reality for African Americans. This speech became a turning point for the Civil Rights Movement because it brought the struggle for equality to national attention, spurring the federal government into action.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech is celebrated for its powerful use of rhetoric, including logos, ethos, and pathos. King employs logos by referencing foundational American documents like the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence to highlight unfulfilled promises of equality. He uses allusions, such as Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, to bolster his credibility. The speech's thesis emphasizes the ongoing struggle for racial equality and the urgency for African Americans to demand their rights non-violently. King's dream envisions a future of racial harmony and justice.