“I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King, Jr. “Glory and Hope” by Nelson Mandela

 Think about what the word justice means.  What might justice mean to a person who is on trial?  What might justice mean to a woman who can’t earn enough money to feed her children?  What might justice mean to a man who is not allowed the right to vote?

 A speech is the oral presentation of beliefs, ideas, and proposals of a speaker. “Each time one of us touches the soil of this land, we feel a sense of personal renewal.”  For example, Nelson Mandela expresses a deep emotional connection with his country when he says in his speech: “Each time one of us touches the soil of this land, we feel a sense of personal renewal.”

 Speeches are usually prepared in writing and are sometimes published.  Because of this, many memorable speeches have become an important part of our literature.  As you read Dr. King’s and Mr. Mandela’s speeches, try to think about what has made them memorable.

 100 years after the Emancipation Proclamation had freed slaves in the South, African Americans were still fighting for equality.  Many were denied the right to vote, and all faced discrimination and segregation.  Can you give any examples of discrimination and segregation they faced?

 In August of 1963, thousands of Americans marched in Washington, D.C. to urge Congress to pass a bill to eliminate segregation.  Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech in front of 200,000 marchers.

 At the same time, in South Africa, Nelson Mandela had been imprisoned because of his fight for racial justice.  South Africans lived under a system called apartheid, which means “separateness.”  Blacks, coloreds (mixed race), and Asians were forced to live apart from whites, mostly in poverty, and suffer discriminatory laws and government oppression.

 South Africans and others protested until the government finally ended apartheid.  In 1994, South Africa held its first election in which all races could vote, and Nelson Mandela became president.

“I Have a Dream” and “Glory and Hope”

 A general pardon, especially one granted by a government to people who have committed political offenses.

 To fail to keep a promise, especially a promise to repay a loan.

 A harsh mixture of sounds; conflict.

 In a way impossible to untangle.

 Closely.

 Justifiable; reasonable.

 An ability to move (as from one social class to another).

 Deadly; harmful.

 A return to a state of friendship or harmony.

 To keep alive; support.