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The Voice Of Freedom – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This post was most recently updated on February 22nd, 2014

Voice of FreedomToday, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his famous “I have a dream speech.”

I was 8 years old when this happened and was so impressed by Dr. King.  As an innocent child, he made all the sense in the world to me.  What he said and what he stood for.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has been in my heart since a child of only 8 years old.  He is part of who I am because of his great influence on me. He was a spiritual man that lead the country into a new movement.

He did not do it with violence, but rather through his words.  I carry him in my heart always.  He is one of my heroes  and honoring him today is a blessing.

For those of you who didn’t live through this wonderful time of man, I inserted this video from 1963 in his famous speech that moved so many to justice.

So my friends, the next time you think of being a leader, think of what this powerful man has done.  He believed in something so strongly.  He acted with persistence.  But the main thing he did as a leader was to help others.

May he NEVER be forgotten!

Donna

Donna Merrill
Donna is a well known blogger and creator of "Blogging Magic" - an intensive guide to blogging. "Blogging Magic" is for beginners who are trying to figure out how to bring their blogs to life with tons of visits, comments and social media interaction. It's even for advanced bloggers looking to reach new levels of authority and engagement with their audience.

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39 Responses to The Voice Of Freedom – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

  1. Kathie February 15, 2013 at 9:33 pm #

    Donna, Thank you for posting about Dr. Martin Luther King. He was such a kind, God fearing man. May he never be forgotten. We would all do well if we would practice what he preached.

    I love reading your blogs Donna. In just reading them I feel as if I have created a friendship with you. You are a warm, loving person and I am so pleased that I have come accross your blogs.

    Thank you again…please don’t stop with your inspiring blogs.

    Hugs…Kathie

  2. nick catricala February 9, 2013 at 6:21 pm #

    Donna,
    this is truly a memorable day and memorable person… I remember when he was forced to retire for good… and at that time, to tell you the truth, I did not have the understanding to truly know what all that was all about… I was in Germany working (17 years old) but as I grew up and then coming here to Canada, I start to read and hear more… and understood what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood for and what was all the fuss about the famous words “I have a Dream”, we are all thankful to him in many ways…and everyday it is hoped that more and more people be free to be who they are, no matter what color is their skin or what religion or what ever differences is there…

    Thanks so much for sharing and sorry I did not read it when you published.
    nickc
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    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      February 10, 2013 at 4:12 pm #

      Hi Nick,

      I specifically wrote this, not only to honor a great man, but to shout out to the world the goodness and legacy he left for all of us.

      There are so many people I know that are not from the U.S. that never heard this speech. I wanted to share awareness of what a powerful energy of peace is. It can change the world.

      This is a part of life that I lived through as a child, but his message touched my heart and gave me instructions of how to live my life.

      May he rest in peace,
      Donna
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  3. Yorinda January 26, 2013 at 3:20 pm #

    Hi Donna,
    thank you for sharing this great speech by this influential man.

    Powerful words! I like the way he talks about the “banks of justice”!

    I wonder what it was like in America around that time, since I grew up in Germany and was 10 years old.

    Love and Light
    Yorinda
    Yorinda recently posted..Imagine if we would choose to BelieveMy Profile

    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 26, 2013 at 10:34 pm #

      It was wonderful being an American during that time Yorinda!

      It was such a great time of change in this country. Yes, there were those that were angry about it, but that just happens with human nature.

      With a great leader like MLK, he showed us how to make changes through peace.

      Donna
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  4. sanchit January 25, 2013 at 1:41 am #

    Hello Donna,
    I have little-bit knowledge about Dr. Martin Luther. I studied about him in my school age.
    This video is very effective, and thanks for sharing this video.

    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 26, 2013 at 10:33 pm #

      I am glad you enjoyed the video.

      So many people have only touched on learning about this great man. Because of this, I wanted to post it to the world.

      Peace is the essence of this post. If we only had more peaceful leaders, this world wold be such a better place.

      Donna
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  5. Raena Lynn January 23, 2013 at 12:12 am #

    Hi Donna,

    I have the greatest respect for Dr. King. Thank you for sharing this video. The people who went to hear Dr. King speak that day were extremely courageous! There was so much violence and discrimination, none of them really knew whether they were taking a risk by attending. Look at the pictures! It was the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation. Millions attended and it turned out peaceful which was incredible! Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s speech is by far one of my favorites!

    I visited Washington DC when I was in high school and in those days, I was able to stand at the foot of Abraham Lincoln. Recently I visited the DC Mall again, and Abraham Lincoln’s statue is now blocked from visitors being allowed to get close. What a pity…

    Dr. King was about peace, love, freedom, and charity. He spoke of blacks and all Americans. I love this line. “We’ve came to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.” Most people have only heard his one liner, “I have a dream.” Thanks for sharing more of his speech…inspirational! True leadership! It was a sad day when we lost our “moral leader of our nation.”

    Raena Lynn

    The video stopped at 4:58, so I checked out the rest of it on YouTube along with part 2. He says “I have a dream” 8 times!
    Raena Lynn recently posted..What Does Hell’s Kitchen and Internet Marketing Have in Common?My Profile

    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 24, 2013 at 12:14 am #

      It is amazing Raena.

      What I liked about inserting this post is that the younger generation never heard it all. Plus my readers are international. Many of them got the short version of it.

      And….lately there has been some talking heads saying that he wasn’t a spiritual leader. Phewey!

      I wanted the truth to be known. I was there to witness it on TV and was a part of the civil rights movement as a young child.

      Mr. King to me is an angel. I believe God was protecting him until his unfortunate time. I still follow his family.

      I pray for him and to him, for he did change the world.

      And yes, those people, risking their lives. Not only in this demonstration but so many others. It was a great time in our history and I don’t want people to forget it!

      Donna
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  6. Neamat Tawadrous
    Twitter:
    January 22, 2013 at 1:32 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    Great post honoring such a great leader like Martin Luther King. He is such an inspiration. This is my first time hearing his speech but it is really inspiring. He is a real hero.

    Thanks Donna for such a great post honoring such a great leader. He will always be remembered.

    Be Blessed,

    Neamat

    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 22, 2013 at 6:03 pm #

      Hi Neamat,

      I am so happy to hear that this is the first time you have heard his speech. When something or someone changes the world in any way, they must be honored and remembered.

      I know many have not heard this speech, but I cannot get enough of it. Especially when I look at all the people that were there.

      It was a moment in American History that I was blessed to be part of even though I was a child.

      Donna
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  7. Carol Lynn January 22, 2013 at 1:11 pm #

    I think Martin Luther King’s message was (IS) great, Donna, and encompasses all the great things we can be as human beings.

    You know how sometimes you hear about things he did that were less than ethical or do not meet our expectations of him as some sort of superhuman? It’s true for anyone who people admire – other people like to find faults to prove why you should NOT admire them.

    Well, I’m bringing this up because you hear it no matter what, and because I always say that people are still people. There is no person that is ALL good or ALL bad. When we reach the realm of gods then we can claim perfection. Until then, we will continue to do bad things, wrong things, and great things too.

    I find it much more inspiring to know that an imperfect human being could have such a grand and inspiring vision. It encourages me that anyone can, and that we don’t have to wait for the heroes to lead us. We can be our own heroes every day.
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    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 22, 2013 at 6:02 pm #

      Yes indeed Carol

      We can be our own heroes every day. This is why I posted the speech.

      Also, because I had heard some buzz lately about Martin Luther King Jr. and somehow his words were twisted. I heard a rumor that he did not believe in God. That’s the internet for you! The man was one of the most spiritual that ever lived.

      No matter what, we are all human, we make mistakes, fix them and go on! But this special man is one of my heros. And because I lived during that time I will never forget the impact he had on me as a role model.

      Donna!
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  8. Steve Vernon January 22, 2013 at 11:37 am #

    Oh, if only we had more people like this great man in leadership today. Thank you, my dear friend, for sharing this. It is not only a reminder of how we have come over the past half century, but also how far we still need to go in removing ALL types of discrimination and becoming what we are truly meant to be as human beings.

    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 22, 2013 at 5:55 pm #

      AHA…You got the point Steve!

      This was one mark in history as a reminder of how far we have come. To me, it is not far enough! I don’t want to play God here, but my goodness, discrimination is still alive and well on this planet.

      Maybe someone, somewhere can be touched by this speech!

      Donna
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  9. Dr. Erica Goodstone
    Twitter:
    January 22, 2013 at 10:51 am #

    Donna,What a treat to hear this powerful speech, so many years later. A leader provides inspiration and wisdom for others to feel part of something bigger and beyond their own selves.Thank you for sharing this and for making it so clear to us what it takes to be a leader and how powerful a legacy any one of us can leave.Warmly,Erica

    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 22, 2013 at 5:53 pm #

      I cannot get enough of his speech. So many of my readers are not from the U.S. and I thought it would be great to share it with them.

      Lots of people younger that baby boomers may have touched on it. But the entire speech is so motivating it goes right to the spirit.

      Donna
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  10. David H. Paul January 22, 2013 at 10:05 am #

    I’m feeling young, Donna. I wasn’t until 1966. For most of the baby boomer generation, this was their defining event… the event that marked the start of a movement that has very clearly defined my life as well.

    The equal rights movement opened the door for most of my dearest friends to truly follow their bliss in freedom… a gift beyond compare.

    Thank you.

    To Your Peace and Prosperity,

    David
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    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 22, 2013 at 5:49 pm #

      Yes it was our defining event!

      After this, many other things popped up as well. I remember peaceful demonstrations against the Vietnam war.

      It seemed like everyone took this idea and ran with it for equal rights for all.

      The best thing he taught us was to change in a peaceful way.

      Donna
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  11. Sue Price
    Twitter:
    January 21, 2013 at 11:43 pm #

    Hi Donna

    I love this speech. Even though I am Australian of course we still are very aware of great American leaders.

    When I was involved in promoting speakers one of them Blair Singer, who is a good friend of Robert Kiyosaki used to run a course where we got into various character’a and delivered their speech. There were some great men like this and some actors roles.

    I have seen people deliver it not in it’s entirety but from the “I have a dream part” – most times I have seen it people actually take on his spirit I am sure. It is such a goose bump thing to watch.

    I am sure he will never be forgotten Donna. Thanks for sharing.

    Sue
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    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 22, 2013 at 5:47 pm #

      Hi Sue!

      It was a fascinating time in history! If we can only apply the strength and courage that Martin Luther King Jr. had to our own lives, we can change things too.

      He is a great model to follow in our daily lives. He moved mountains with peace.

      Donna
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  12. Celeste Smucker January 21, 2013 at 9:01 pm #

    Hi Donna…MLK is one of my heroes too..what a great contribution he made in life and also in death. It’s great to have his birthday come around every year to remind us of what he stood for and how he continues to influence our lives. Thanks for a thoughtful post,
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    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 22, 2013 at 3:41 pm #

      He is mine too Celeste.

      I am also happy that we have a national celebration each year to remind people that with Peace, Love, and leadership, one can make big changes!

      We ourselves have the opportunity to do it every day.

      Lets Keep his spirit alive!
      Donna
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  13. Celeste Smucker January 21, 2013 at 9:01 pm #

    Hi Doonna…MLK is one of my heroes too..what a great contribution he made in life and also in death. It’s great to have his birthday come around every year to remind us of what he stood for and how he continues to influence our lives. Thanks for a thoughtful post,
    Celeste Smucker recently posted..How a Dream can Change the WorldMy Profile

  14. Sylviane Nuccio
    Twitter:
    January 21, 2013 at 6:58 pm #

    That’s great Donna to give honor to Dr Martin Luther King today. I wasn’t born yet when he gave this speech and even if I were I wouldn’t have been in this country, but I sure heard that message many times since I’ve been in the US.

    I grew up in a country where there were no such things as “segregation” and that type of heavy racism, but I remember watching that very popular Dubbed American TV series called “Roots” when I was just like 9 or 10 years old. I remember my mother telling me about the slavery and all that American crap, and I was amazed.

    Little did I know that I was going to come live here years later, but it’s not something I would have want to do in Dr. King’area. Thankfully we have evolved as humans since then.

    Thanks for this great share!
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    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 22, 2013 at 3:38 pm #

      Hi Sylviane,

      One of the reasons I wanted to post this is that I have readers that are not from the U.S. I wanted to share his original speech so it was something that was not re-written, or dubbed.

      I remember that series “Roots” – It was amazing. I experiences strong prejudice as a child. Although my parents were not of that mindset, my peers were.

      I remember crying so hard when I came of age to understand prejudice. I was raised Catholic and knew people were all equal. My parents tried to explain things to me, to calm me down because I wanted to do something about it but I was too young. By the time I was 12, I was at every march there was in Central Park.

      That made me feel good because I was taking some kind of “action” toward injustice.

      Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a very spiritual man. I do believe God played an important role in his life. And yes, he changed the world, but unfortunately prejudice still exists.

      Once I was in a taxi and the driver was going on saying the N word. I told him “Excuse me sir, but my grandmother is African American.” Of course it was a lie, but that shut him up quick.

      Donna
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  15. Barbara Charles
    Twitter:
    January 21, 2013 at 6:46 pm #

    Hi Donna. Powerful. Thank you for sharing your feelings about Martin Luther King and all he did. But more important was how he did it. Without violence, with love and dignity and changed the world. He can’t leave a better legacy than that.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Barbara
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    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 22, 2013 at 3:29 pm #

      Hi Barbara.

      He is a role model of how he did it. Peacefully, with love and dignity. That is the most effective way to change.

      I am blessed that he was part of my life growing up. He gave me such a strong foundation that is a part of who I am today.

      Donna
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  16. Martin Casper January 21, 2013 at 6:17 pm #

    Martin Luther King was a true visionary. It is really sad that African Americans were treated the way that they were treated. It is very sad when any group of God’s people are persecuted, singled out or abused, for any reason. He had a dream and never ever gave up even in the face of life-threatening danger.
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  17. Adrienne
    Twitter:
    January 21, 2013 at 5:44 pm #

    Hey Donna,

    What a fabulous reminder of what this day represents. Like those before me I also agree that he was a special human being. Brought down way before his time but only because they were hoping to silence what he had to share. Dr. King was right in his speech. That day did go down in history and we all remember today because of what he represented.

    Thank you for sharing this video. I’ve also seen it numerous times but I never tire of hearing it.

    ~Adrienne
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    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 21, 2013 at 6:33 pm #

      Hi Adrienne,

      I just had to share this video! Not only did he do great things and changed the world, but by following his example, we as individuals know we can also move mountains.

      He is a reminder to us all that we have a voice, we have the ability to do ANYTHING we want to do for the good of all.

      Donna
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  18. Mike Beaumont January 21, 2013 at 4:32 pm #

    Donna, I too was only 8 years old when this happened, and sharing a birthday with him has been a privilege. It\’s really sad that so many great inspirational leaders have been taken from us all to soon. But we can benefit from what we have learned from them and pass on those lessons to others. Thanks for this wonderful story.

  19. Stacy January 21, 2013 at 1:49 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    Dr. Martin Luther King Jr continues to be an inspiration to this day. His message was timeless. Discrimination happens in many forms and he is proof that things can change. I’m glad that we have a day each year to remember him and his message.

    Thank you for sharing,
    Stacy

  20. Carrie January 21, 2013 at 11:05 am #

    Dr. Martin Luther King JR made all the sense in the world to me too. He was a great man. I’ll never forget how he changed the world with a speech and voicing his own opinions. Now everyone in the world can join hands and get along. However, being an African American female – I do come across some discrimination here and there. I try not to let it bother me.
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    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 21, 2013 at 12:09 pm #

      Hi Carrie,

      Unfortunately, there will always be discrimination in our world. But as we live our lives emulating this great man, and keeping our mindset on his words, those full of hate, will not bother us.

      There will always be people that are negative. The trick is like you said, not let it bother you. Negativity comes at us in all different ways, but when we are positive, we attract positive. And the negative can go on their way.

      Blessings,
      Donna
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  21. Mayura
    Twitter:
    January 21, 2013 at 1:34 am #

    Hi Donna,

    I loved him and what he stands for when was I reading about him at school. It’s about 12 years ago 🙂

    I just read but didn’t heard his speech though. I did explore some great speeches but I missed this one. Thank you for adding it here and it’s such a inspiration for me dear 🙂 I believe it will same for others too.

    AGAIN, May he never be forgotten 🙂

    Cheers…
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    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 21, 2013 at 1:43 am #

      I am so happy that you were able to hear the most famous speech in American History Mayura.

      I lived in that time and although I lived in New York City, there was so much prejudice that I have witnessed. As a child, I couldn’t understand it. Why was my religion teaching me to love and people teaching me to hate?

      I chose Love.

      My mom had a best friend and went out to lunch with her. They didn’t serve them at the restaurant because mom was white and her friend was black. My mom never got over that. And she shared that story with me. She taught me how to love people no matter who they were. But society around me were screaming hate.

      It was very confusing as a child and I am grateful I had my religion and my mom to teach me well.

      Donna
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  22. Michael A Buccilli January 21, 2013 at 1:10 am #

    I too have always respected Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he stood for something bigger than himself and worked tirelessly to bring all peoples together.

    I have seen this speech so many times and do not get tired of hearing it. I just wish that more people would stop and listen – not just breeze by and truly take in his message for all.

    Thank you for sharing this video Donna.

    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 21, 2013 at 1:38 am #

      Hi Michael,

      I can never get tired of this speech either. I consider it the best ever!
      I have grown up with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and mourned his death.

      The 1960’s was a specific time in history that I am so grateful I was a part of. It is when people stood up for what they believed in.

      It was a time where we made a change in the world. And there is no better example than Dr. King Jr.
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