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On August 28th, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr delivered his ‘I have a dream’ speech, which is known as one of the best speeches of modern history. Though identified as a speech, it was much more.
To the 250k people who attended, it was a ray of hope, a tangible byproduct of their struggles, a dream that was finally coming true. It was their freedom. For when one frees their mind from the shackles of oppression and starts proactively demonstrating for one’s freedom, he has surely attained the freedom that he longs for. And on the day, the goal was achieved.
The reality, however, requires certain physical and visible changes which are the next part of our struggle. In Pakistan, we seem to have passed the stage of vision and share the ‘dream.’ But the next challenge eagerly awaits us, rather is headed toward us. It is time to reflect on our positions.
As the struggle continues, the hardest parts lie ahead. We should brace ourselves, have faith in the Almighty, and unceasingly introspect to ensure we are still on the path that Jinnah led us to – for it is too easy to be lost in the chaos that prevails. We must remember that on our mission we must stay within the law and moral & social limits. We do not wish to emulate our enemy, rather show them how it is to be done.
The words of Martin Luther King Jr provide a pertinent reminder that one must not lose himself in the process of finding his original objective. But there is something that I must 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, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds.
But let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.
Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.
If we always remember our mission — Faith, Unity, and Discipline, insha’Allah we will remain loyal to our cause and Pakistan will one day thrive as a successful player on a global scale. Just like the struggle for decades, if not centuries by the African-Americans led up to that day in 1963. I have a dream that our nation too, achieves its true potential. I have a dream that our ‘independence’ will go beyond words, into our hearts, and we are truly ‘free’ from the corruption, nepotism, misogyny and all the other diseases that we harbor.
I have a dream that our nation too, achieves its true potential. I have a dream that our ‘independence’ will go beyond words, into our hearts, and we are truly ‘free’ from the corruption, nepotism, misogyny and all the other diseases that we harbor. I have a dream that we will, insha’Allah, achieve true independence — independence of thought and purity of mind.
I have a dream too…
Pakistan Zindabad.
