Speech 8 IHave a D ream by Martin Luther King（Augu...
I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.
Five score years ago，a great American，in whose symbolic shadow we stand today，signed the Emancipation Proclamation.Thismomentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope tomillions of Negro slaves，who had been seared in the flames ofwithering injustice.It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.
Butone hundred years later，the Negro still is not free.One hundred years later，the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination.One hundred years later，the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity.One hundred years later，the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land.And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.
In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check.When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence，they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir.This note was a promise that allmen，yes，black men as well as whitemen，would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life，liberty，and the pursuit of happiness.
It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note，insofar as her citizens of color are concerned.Instead of honoring this sacred obligation，America has given the Negro people a bad check，a check which has come back marked“insufficient funds”.
Butwe refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt.We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation.And so we have come to cash this check，a check thatwill give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.
We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now.This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism.Now is the time tomake real the promises of democracy.Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.Now is the time tomake justice a reality for all of God's children.
Itwould be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment.This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontentwill not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.1963 is not an end but a beginning.Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual.There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights.The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.
But there is something that Imust say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice.In the process of gaining our rightful place wemust not be guilty ofwrongful deeds.Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.
Wemust ever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline.Wemust not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence.Again and again we must rise to themajestic heights ofmeeting physical force with soul force.
Themarvelous newmilitancy which has engulfed the Negro communitymustnot lead us to a distrust of allwhite people，formany of ourwhite brothers，as evidenced by their presence here today，have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny.And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.We cannotwalk alone.
And aswe walk，wemustmake the pledge thatwe shall alwaysmarch ahead.We cannot turn back.There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights， “When will you be satisfied？”
We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality.
We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies，heavy with the fatigue of travel，cannot gain lodging in themotels of the highways and the hotels of the cities.
We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basicmobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one.
We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating“for whites only”.
We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote.
No，no，we are not satisfied and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like amighty stream.
I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations.Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells.Some of you have come from areaswhere your quest for freedom left you battered by the stormsof persecutionsand staggered by the winds of police brutality.You have been the veterans of creative suffering.Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.
Go back to Mississippi，go back to Alabama，go back to South Carolina，go back to Georgia，go back to Louisiana，go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities，knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.
Let us notwallow in the valley of despair，I say to you today，my friends.And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow，I still have a dream.It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
Ihave a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the truemeaning of its creed：“We hold these truths to be self-evident that allmen are created equal.”
Ihave a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave ownerswill be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
Ihave a dream that one day even the state ofMississippi，a state swelteringwith the heat of injustice，sweltering with the heat of oppression，will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
Ihave a dream thatmy four little children will one day live in a nation where theywill not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
Ihave a dream today！
I have a dream that one day，down in Alabama，with its vicious racists，with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of“interposition”and“nullification”；one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girlswill be able to join handswith little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
Ihave a dream today！
Ihave a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted，and every hill and mountain shall bemade low，the rough placeswill bemade plain，and the crooked placeswill bemade straight，and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.
This is our hope.This is the faith that Iwill go back to the South with.With this faith we will be able to hew out of themountain of despair a stone of hope.With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.With this faith we will be able to work together，to pray together，to struggle together，to go to jail together，to stand up for freedom together，knowing thatwewill be free one day.
And thiswill be the day，thiswill be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with newmeaning，“My country，'tis of thee，sweet land of liberty，of thee Ising.Land wheremy fathers died，land of the Pilgrim's pride，from every mountainside，let freedom ring！”And if America is to be a great nation，thismust become true.
And so let freedom ring—from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring—from themightymountains of New York.
Let freedom ring—from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.
Let freedom ring—from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.
Let freedom ring—from the curvaceous slopes of California.
But not only that.
Let freedom ring—from Stone Mountain of Georgia.
Let freedom ring—from LookoutMountain of Tennessee.
Let freedom ring—from every hill and molehill of Mississippi，from everymountainside，let freedom ring！
And when this happens，when we allow freedom ring，when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet，from every state and every city，we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children，black men and whitemen，Jews and Gentiles，Protestants and Catholics，will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual：“Free at last，free at last.Thank God Almighty，we are free at last.”
背景简介：
马丁·路德·金是美国牧师、社会活动家，美国20世纪60年代的黑人民权运动领袖。1955年12月1日，罗莎·帕克斯，一个亚拉巴马州蒙哥马利市的百货商店的女缝工和有色人种利益协进会NAACP（National Association for the Advancement of Colored People）的积极会员，在下班的路上搭乘公车时坐在黑人区的第一排。当时亚拉巴马州还实行种族隔离，公车上分白人区（前）、中间区（不分黑白、但是黑人要让白人）和黑人区（后）。车上的白人区坐满了以后，再有白人上来，司机就过来叫罗莎和同排的三个黑人给白人让座。罗莎拒绝了（因为她根本就是坐在黑人区），因此遭到逮捕。三天之后，在马丁·路德·金的发起下，蒙哥马利市的黑人开始了公车拒乘运动（Montgomery Bus Boycott），蒙市的黑人将拒乘公车，直到他们的如下要求得到满足：雇用黑人司机，礼貌对待黑人乘客，车辆中区位置先到者先坐，黑人无须让位与白人。
1963年8月28日，马丁·路德·金组织了争取黑人工作机会和自由权利的“华盛顿工作与自由游行”，此次示威活动中有超过25万的抗议者聚集在华盛顿特区。在林肯纪念馆的台阶上，马丁·路德·金发表了“我有一个梦想”的演讲。同年，马丁·路德·金成为《时代周刊》的年度人物。1964年，马丁·路德·金被授予诺贝尔和平奖。1968年被种族主义分子暗杀。2006年被美国权威期刊《大西洋月刊》评为影响美国的100位人物第8名。
参考译文：(https://www.daowen.com)
我有一个梦想
——马丁·路德·金
今天，我高兴地同大家一起参加这次将成为我国历史上为争取自由而举行的最伟大的示威集会。
100年前，一位伟大的美国人签署了《解放黑奴宣言》，今天我们就站在他的雕像前。这项重要法令的颁布，对于千百万灼烤于非正义烈焰中的黑奴，犹如带来希望之光的巨大灯塔，恰似结束漫漫长夜禁锢的令人欢悦的黎明。
然而100年后的今天，我们必须正视黑人还没有得到自由这一悲惨的事实。100年后的今天，黑人仍然在种族隔离的镣铐和种族歧视的枷锁下艰难生存。100年后的今天，黑人仍生活在物质充裕的海洋中一个穷困的孤岛上。100年后的今天，黑人仍然蜷缩在美国社会的角落里，在自己故土家园中仍然是流亡者。今天我们在这里集会，就是要把这种骇人听闻的情况公诸世人。
就某种意义而言，今天我们是为了要求兑现诺言而汇集到我们国家的首都来的。我们共和国的缔造者草拟宪法和《独立宣言》的气壮山河的词句时，曾向每一个美国人许下了诺言，他们承诺所有人——不论白人还是黑人——都享有不可剥夺的生存权、自由权和追求幸福的权利。
很显然，对有色公民而言，美国并没有践行她的诺言。美国没有履行这项神圣的义务，而是给黑人开了一张空头支票，这张支票上盖着“资金不足”的戳印后退回来了。
但是我们不相信正义的银行已经破产，我们不相信，在这个国家巨大的机会之库里已没有足够资金的储备。因此我们今天来要求将支票兑现-这张支票将给予我们自由和正义的充分保障。
我们来到这个圣地也是为了提醒美国，现在是非常急迫的时刻。现在绝非奢谈冷静下来或服用渐进主义的镇静剂的时候。现在是从种族隔离的荒凉阴暗的深谷攀登至种族平等的光明大道的时候，现在是向上帝所有的儿女开放机会之门的时候，现在是把我们的国家从种族不平等的流沙中拯救出来，并把她置于兄弟情谊的磐石之上的时候。
如果美国忽视时间的迫切性，低估黑人的决心，那么，这对美国的国运来说将是致命的。自由和平等的爽朗秋天如不到来，黑人义愤填膺的酷暑就不会过去。1963年并不意味着黑人斗争的结束，而只是开始。有人希望，黑人只要撒气泄愤就会满足了；如果国家安之若素，毫无反应，这些人会大失所望的。黑人得不到公民的基本权利，美国就不可能有安宁或平静，正义的光明的一天不到来，叛乱的旋风就将继续动摇这个国家的基础。
但是对于等候在正义之宫门口的心急如焚的人们，有些话我必须说。在争取合法地位的过程中，我们不要采取错误的做法。我们不能为了满足对自由的渴望而抱着敌对和仇恨之杯痛饮。
我们斗争时必须永远举止得体，纪律严明。我们不能容许我们具有崭新内容的抗议蜕变为暴力行动。我们要不断地升华到以精神力量对付物质力量的崇高境界中去。
现在黑人社会充满着了不起的新的战斗精神，但是不能因此而不信任所有的白人。因为我们的许多白人兄弟已经认识到，他们的命运与我们的命运是紧密相连的，他们今天参加游行集会就是明证。他们的自由与我们的自由是息息相关的。我们不能单独行动。
当我们行动时，我们必须保证向前进。我们不能倒退。现在有人问热心民权运动的人，“你们什么时候才能满足？”
只要黑人仍然遭受警察难以形容的野蛮迫害，我们就绝不会满足。
只要我们在外奔波而疲乏的身躯不能在公路旁的汽车旅馆和城里的旅馆找到住宿之所，我们就绝不会满足。
只要黑人的基本活动范围只是从少数民族聚居的小贫民区转移到大贫民区，我们就绝不会满足。
只要我们的孩子被“仅限白人”的标语剥夺自我和尊严，我们就绝不会满足。
只要密西西比州仍然有一个黑人不能参加选举，只要纽约有一个黑人认为他投票无济于事，我们就绝不会满足。
不！我们现在并不满足，我们将来也不满足，除非正义和公正犹如江海之波涛，汹涌澎湃，滚滚而来。
我并非没有注意到，参加今天集会的人中，有些受尽苦难和折磨，有些刚刚走出窄小的牢房，有些由于寻求自由，曾在居住地惨遭疯狂迫害的打击，并在警察暴行的旋风中摇摇欲坠。你们是人为痛苦的长期受难者。坚持下去吧，要坚决相信，忍受不应得的痛苦是一种赎罪。
让我们回到密西西比州去，回到亚拉巴马州去，回到南卡罗来纳州去，回到佐治亚州去，回到路易斯安那州去，回到我们北方城市中的贫民区和少数民族居住区去，要心中有数，这种状况是能够也必将改变的。我们不要陷入绝望而不可自拔。
朋友们，今天我对你们说，在此时此刻，我们虽然遭受种种困难和挫折，我仍然有一个梦想，这个梦想深深扎根于美国的梦想之中。
我梦想有一天，这个国家会站立起来，真正实现其信条的真谛：“我们认为，人人生而平等，是不言而喻的真理。”
我梦想有一天，在佐治亚州的红山上，昔日奴隶的儿子将能够和昔日奴隶主的儿子坐在一起，共叙兄弟情谊。
我梦想有一天，甚至连密西西比州这个正义匿迹，压迫成风，如同沙漠般的地方，也将变成自由和正义的绿洲。
我梦想有一天，我的四个孩子将在一个不是以他们的肤色，而是以他们的品格优劣来评价他们的国度里生活。
今天，我有一个梦想。
我梦想有一天，亚拉巴马州能够有所转变，尽管该州州长现在仍然满口异议，反对联邦法令，但有朝一日，那里的黑人男孩和女孩将能与白人男孩和女孩情同骨肉，携手并进。
今天，我有一个梦想。
我梦想有一天，幽谷上升，高山下降；坎坷曲折之路成坦途，圣光披露，满照人间。
这就是我们的希望。我怀着这种信念回到南方。有了这个信念，我们将能从绝望之岭劈出一块希望之石。有了这个信念，我们将能把这个国家刺耳的争吵声，改变成为一支洋溢手足之情的优美交响曲。
有了这个信念，我们将能一起工作，一起祈祷，一起斗争，一起坐牢，一起维护自由；因为我们知道，终有一天，我们是会自由的。
在自由到来的那一天，上帝的所有儿女们将以新的含义高唱这支歌：“我的祖国，美丽的自由之乡，我为您歌唱。您是父辈逝去的地方，您是最初移民的骄傲，让自由之声响彻每个山岗。”
如果美国要成为一个伟大的国家，这个梦想必须实现！
让自由之声从新罕布什尔州的巍峨的崇山峻岭响起来！
让自由之声从纽约州的崇山峻岭响起来！
让自由之声从宾夕法尼亚州的阿勒格尼山响起来！
让自由之声从科罗拉多州冰雪覆盖的落基山响起来！
让自由之声从加利福尼亚州蜿蜒的群峰响起来！
不仅如此，还要让自由之声从佐治亚州的石岭响起来！
让自由之声从田纳西州的瞭望山响起来！
让自由之声从密西西比州的每一座丘陵响起来！
让自由之声从每一片山坡响起来！
当我们让自由之声响起，让自由之声从每一个大小村庄、每一个州和每一个城市响起来时，我们将能够加速这一天的到来，那时，上帝的所有儿女，黑人和白人，犹太教徒和非犹太教徒，耶稣教徒和天主教徒，都将手携手，合唱一首古老的黑人灵歌：“自由啦！自由啦！感谢全能上帝，我们终于自由啦！”