Dr. King, the Dream, and the Speech that Sparked a Movement

Join author, broadcaster, and award-winning columnist Gary Younge as he discusses his latest book, The Speech: The Story Behind Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream. Mr. Younge will sign copies of his book after the program.

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It was a sweltering eighty-seven degrees when Martin Luther King Jr. took the stage at the Lincoln Memorial in 1963. He was the final speaker after a long day. The crowd, which numbered in the tens of thousands, had begun to leave. King took a deep breath and threw back his shoulders. ‘I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream.'—From the Introduction

Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his powerful “I Have a Dream Speech” on August 28, 1963. Fifty years later, the speech endures as a defining moment in the civil rights movement. It continues to be heralded as a beacon in the ongoing struggle for racial equality. This gripping book unearths the fascinating chronicle behind “The Speech” and the revealing events surrounding the March on Washington.

Gary Younge is a columnist for The Guardian and The Nation. His books include Who are We, Should it Matter In the 21st Century and No Place Like Home, shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award.

This event sponsored by the Oakland Public Library and Haymarket Books.