On August 28, 1963 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave one of the most powerful speeches of all time.

I know I cannot do this speech justice. But to be honest, I’m not doing any of these speeches justice.

I’m studying and I’m practicing.

I’m studying history, and what makes a great speech and I’m practicing my oratory. I’m doing so with the words of masters in my mouth, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to study these great words.

So please forgive me for butchering some of the most moving and eloquent words spoken…

Why this speech?

First and foremost because, as Dr. King stated, my destiny is tied up with their destiny and my freedom is inextricably bound to their freedom.

I hope that one day it will seem confounding that this speech needed to be said, because it’s message is obvious and should be obvious to everyone.

But sadly today, this speech still rings true today, and it needs to be read and reread and listened to not for its stunning poetry, but for its message.