sharing Dr King’s dream
By Rishan, Youth Influencer
"I Have a Dream" is Martin Luther King Jr's most famous speech, delivered during a march on Washington for jobs and freedom 60 years ago (28 August 1963).
It is a powerful call for racial equality and an end to discrimination against African Americans in the United States. In his speech, Dr King envisions a future where people are judged by the content of their character rather than the colour of their skin.
While the speech itself doesn't directly address refugees and asylum seekers, its themes of equality, justice and human dignity can be applied to various contemporary issues, including the current situation in the UK.
This involves people who have been forced to leave their homes due to conflict, persecution and other life-threatening situations. They seek refuge in other countries (including the UK) in hope of finding safety and a better life.
Dr King's speech emphasises the importance of equality and justice for all people, regardless of their background. Just as he advocated for equal treatment for African Americans, the refugee situation calls for fair and compassionate treatment of individuals seeking asylum.
Sixty years later, how far have things progressed? If you listened to Home Secretary Suella Braverman and her “dream” of transporting refugees to Rwanda, you would think not much at all (October 2022).
Discrimination against vulnerable individuals still exists and people are being treated based on their states rather than their needs. As well as her “dream”, Ms Braverman said a flight taking asylum seekers to Rwanda was her "obsession”, which reflects a perspective that is supportive of strict immigration measures and the use of deportation flights (although Rwanda is on hold).
Critics of such comments and policies argue that they dehumanise asylum seekers, creating an environment of fear and hostility.
Like Dr King (but unlike others), we dream for a better world, a place where individuals' rights are respected and treated with compassion.
Dr King's core messages of equality, justice, dignity and hope can be applied to advocate for fair treatment for everyone - including refugees - in UK society.