Civil Rights Act of 1964

Hello, my name is Martin Luther King Jr. I want to tell you about a very important dream I had. It wasn't the kind of dream you have when you're asleep. It was a dream I had for the world with my eyes wide open. I dreamed of a world where everyone would be treated with kindness, no matter what they looked like. Back then, things weren't always fair. Imagine going to a park and seeing two water fountains, one for one group of people and one for another. Or imagine not being able to play on the same playground as some of your friends, just because your skin was a different color. This was called segregation, and it made many people, including children, feel very sad and left out. I believed with all my heart that this was wrong. I knew that what truly matters is what is inside a person's heart—their kindness, their courage, their love. I dreamed that one day, everyone would be judged by their character, not the color of their skin.

To share this big dream, my friends and I decided we needed to do something big and peaceful to get everyone’s attention. So, on a warm summer day, August 28th, 1963, we organized a giant walk in a city called Washington, D.C. It was called the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It wasn't just a few people. It was like a giant river of people, more than you could count. There were people of all colors, all ages, walking together, holding signs, and singing songs about hope and friendship. It was so beautiful to see. I stood in front of all those people, near a big monument of a president named Abraham Lincoln, and I gave a speech. I told them all about my dream. I said, 'I have a dream that one day little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.' I imagined a future where all children could play together on any playground and be best friends. We showed everyone that you don’t need to shout or fight to make a change. You can do it with powerful words, peaceful actions, and by working together as a team.

A new Rule for Kindness
Our peaceful march and all our hard work made a very big difference. People all over the country heard our message, including the people who make the laws. The President at the time, Lyndon B. Johnson, listened, too. About a year later, on July 2nd, 1964, something wonderful happened. A new law was created called the Civil Rights Act. This was like a new, official rule for the whole country. It said that it was against the rules to treat people unfairly in public places like schools, restaurants, parks, and buses because of the color of their skin. It meant that those separate water fountains had to go away. It meant that all children could go to the same schools and swim in the same pools. It was a giant step toward making my dream come true. My dream is still growing, and you can help it grow, too. You can keep the dream alive every time you are kind to someone, share with a friend, and make sure everyone feels included when you play.