Martin Luther King Jr Sense Of Community Essay - 1,222 words

The American dream is an idea that attracts many. The promises of opportunity, success, social equality, and fortune are very desirable. Though few have come to a consensus for the definition of the "American dream", many are reaching for this concept. In Martin Luther King Jr. s "I Have a Dream" speech he searches desperately for this ambiguous idea.


In Witold Rybcaynski essay, "Tomorrowland, " he explains that Disney believes the dream can be constructed. Martin Luther King Jr. s attempt for the American dream is more realistic than Disneys plan to synthesize the ideal habitat; however both reveal that part of the American dream is to achieve happiness. This happiness consists of equality among people, a sense of community between neighbors, and freedom for all. In Martin Luther King Jr. s moving speech, he addresses a crowd about the inequalities of their society.


He seeks justice, using the Constitution as the basis for his demands. Because the Constitution states that all men are created equal, blacks should not be neglected. They too are human and therefore should be given the same treatment as whites. Martin Luther King Jr. s dream is that the "state of Mississippi, a desert state sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice" (196). In order to accomplish this goal, he feels society must overcome ignorance.


On the contrary, Rybcaynski describes Disney in the process of building an ideal community in "Tomorrowland. " The environment being created contains equality and harmony, however the inhabitants must build upon it. For this ideal community, Celebration, to work successfully people must compromise and cooperate. In both situations, Martin Luther King Jr. and Rybcaynski's dream of living in a perfect society will become a reality only if the people can unite. Equality among the population is a key step in achieving the American dream. People will not be content if a hierarchy in which some have advantages over others exists.


Martin Luther King Jr. confirms this idea when he quotes, "We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negros basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote" (195).


He is enraged that a black person is treated unfairly because of the color of his / her skin. African Americans are humans, yet they lack many rights because of this difference. On the other hand, Celebration bestows equality to its inhabitants. From the beginning of development, many people express interest in buying the homes. Therefore, "it was decided that the only fair way to sell lots was to draw names out of a hat. (Entrants were not screened, and Disney employees were not given preference) " (200). Because the creators of Celebration want to be just, they pick residents at random.


Status, race, and occupation had no effect on the selection process. Celebration offers the equality that Martin Luther King Jr. fought for. The American dream thrives on a sense of community between its residents. People will only be truly satisfied when they are able to live in absolute harmony with one another.


Martin Luther King Jr. hopes that "the state of Alabama, whose governors lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys an ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Essay Tags: sense of community, martin luther king jr, american dream, dream speech, jr

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