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"I Have a Dream" speeches
Mr. Poremba, Language Arts/Reading
Peacock Middle School

Students in seventh grade at Peacock wrote and delivered speeches in celebration of the Martin Luther King Holiday. Some students have agreed to share their dreams online. I hope you find them as inspirational as I have.

Sincerely,

Mike Poremba

Laila

I have a dream, that one day, this world will be free from terrorism. This dream of mine will need a lot of hard work, but if we work together, hand in hand, side-by-side, it will one day be accomplished. Then it will be a peaceful world.
A peaceful world should be a world where there are no more wars. A peaceful world should be a place where we do not fear from another attack like the one we had on September 11. A peaceful world is a place where the storms of hatred the storms, the storms of despair caused by terrorism will clear up to be a beautiful world of peace and harmony. Also, not only will Muslims and Christians have their differences settled but also Jews and Gentiles and the prejudiced will no longer have hatred for ones’ color of skin. Terrorism is wrong and so once it’s rid of let there be peace on earth for the glorious grand terrorism free days ahead.

Logan

I have a dream… That one-day violence will come to an end. Violence is a word I am not familiar with personally. It’s something I hear on the news everyday. There are different types of violence. Such as street violence or family violence. I have a dream that people will “stop and forgive.” From the heart of war comes the blood of peace. If we can accept this new philosophy, maybe we can be violence free. If so maybe our children’s generation will be violence free too. So in order for this to happen we need to “stop and forgive.” I have a dream that the racial violence will come to a halt. I have a dream that people will S.A.V.E. Stop All Violent Encouragement. But until people are informed about what violence is truly about, it will continue to happen.

Liz

In this new time and age it is time to stop all guns, tanks, soldiers, and bombs. It is time to bring out peace, tranquility, and friendship. It is now time to bring a halt to war. If the world would be a peaceful place, we would not have to worry about watching out for our children getting stolen or shot. We could help all people in all different shapes and sizes recuperate from past wars other then not helping them because we are in a war against
I do have a dream that Arabs and Americans can help instead of kill. No one or two countries should go to war, even if it is not our country against another country. If any country fights against another country, it hurts not helps. I say a stop sign to stop fighting and a dove of peace. All countries should hold their flags high and hope for peace.
We should bring a stop to war; every main leader in every country should talk together and sign a peace treaty. They should sign even if they don’t like one country. We should bring a halt to war. It is not just Iraq and America that I worry about. That is something no one needs. Some people might want it, but our country should try to stop.

Crystal

I have a dream? that one day, there would be no such thing as war. Therefore, let hatred turn into love, bringing the world a new sensation? may war turn into peace throughout every nation. It is either now? or never. The world is like a dozen sailboats in a storm of rebellion? all in hope for a common need? in the mists they search for a light of hope. It is either now? or never. Today we are a country awakened to danger and called to defend freedom. Our grief has turned to anger, and anger to resolution. Whether we bring our enemies to justice, or bring justice to out enemies, justice will be done. The world may be a place full of fear and injustices, but through compromises and settled disputes, it doesn’t ever have to be that way. War may never come to an end and many different issues may continue to rise. Such problems include, inequality, racism, terrorism, and poverty. These problems may never be settled, but with caring countries, the world can be free from war. The choice doesn’t choose itself, so the choice must be made. It is either now? or never. May fear eventually bring hope, and war be brought to peace. It is? either now, or never.

Amanda

I have a dream, that one day Hispanics and whites could stand together and shake hands. Can this be the time? It is to be known that all men are created equal and endowed by their creator. One day let it be known from the highest mountains to the deepest seas that war, weapons, and dislike are not the way to go. Let’s turn those stones of despair and bad things into a sea of love. Can this be the time? From the magic mountains to the steepest seas let freedom ring. I have but one life to live for my country I want to spend that time helping people that need the help. Can this be the time, to stop all of this madness? Well to me it is the time we can stop acting so foolish. You can think what you want but I have a dream. I’m disgusted, angered, mad, and speechless about our actions. I’m not saying that I haven’t had times where I wished some things wrong, but I am going to change and I hope you do today also. I have a dream and may it be known from now on.

Kevin

Don’t go mad, drugs are bad. That saying should be heard around the world. It should be heard in every school, in every office building, and in every household. “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for you country.” John F. Kennedy once said, and I say that to you. What you can do for your country is take that saying, don’t go mad, drugs are, and make it heard around the world so everyone can know not to do drugs.
I have a dream, that we will take the fumes of those terrible drugs, and lock them away. I have a dream that rich people and poor people will not use those dirty drugs, those dirty drugs will not only hurt you temporally, but for a long time. Those dirty drugs can even kill you. So please carry out my dream and do not use drugs.

Megan

I have a dream that people will live and die peacefully knowing that they are safe. Men could just walk out of their houses, outside, knowing that they wont get shot or stabbed by people they are close to, or just strangers. Today is the day to make dangerous decisions, to be the one doing the violence, or the one being affected by what the violence has done. Today is the day from the land of liberty the winds of peace shall blow. All you need is love to stop violence. We must make today the day of change.

John

Weapons of mass destruction will not solve anything, but Iraq, North Korea, India think they will. The verifiable destruction of nuclear weapons has been said many times, but it has never happened. Yet we The United States think we can solve their problems. The United States, like the courageous eagle, is flying everywhere protecting people from themselves. Countries all around the world have the same problem. From the desserts of Iraq to the mountains of India and to the jungles of North Korea the problem is the same. There is no simple, single, solution to these situations. Weapons of mass destruction do not end wars; weapons of mass destruction do not resolve problems. The problem must be fixed immediately and not debated over.

Lindsey

I have a dream that one day people will not be judged by what they look like, where they’re from, what religion they are, and skin color, but that they will be judged by what’s on the inside. This is an issue that many have noticed but unfortunately there are some that do not care for the feelings of other fellow Americans, brothers and sisters of God. This is a dream that may end many wars. As John F. Kennedy once said, “Ask not what our country can do for you but what you can do for your country” and what we can do is make it better by not being racist, getting along with everyone, and to not judge others. I believe on the other side of this hatred place there is the sun of glory bringing peace to the world. It is not fair to be judged by something you cannot change. I have dream today.

Laura

I have a dream that one day Terrorism will no longer be a part of our world. That one day, it will only be a bad memory of what used to be. Because of terrorism, the world has turned into a universe of hate. On September eleventh the terrorists wanted to bread our country a part, instead they brought us together. Today, our country is more united than ever.
Terrorists kill millions and millions of innocent people. Many men, women, and children are all affected by terrorism even if they don’t want to be. Terrorists are selfish people who only think about their needs and their wants. Terrorists deserve their name for they truly bring terror into the world and the hearts of more than we can count.
One day, there will be no terrorism. One day, there will be no hate. Until then I ask you to bring a little hope into the lives of the people you see everyday. Show them there’s no reason to hate anyone. Some terrorists end up being the people you see everyday, whom you think are just normal people thinking normal everyday things. Terrorists are not a certain race, ethnicity, or religion. They’re terrorists.
The other day I heard of a boy, in a town not far from mine, attempted to burn down the church in his community. He succeeded. The school next to the church had to be shut down for a long period of time because of this boy. When in jail, he told a fellow prisoner that he was planning to hire a hit man to kill the eyewitness that reported him. A policeman posed as a hit man and this boy was willing to pay him eight hundred dollars to kill his eyewitness. If you don’t think this boy was a terrorist, you’re wrong. Terrorists can be anyone anywhere. Although this boy was caught, there are terrorists running loose everywhere. They’re cowards that need to kill to get revenge. Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never tastes of death but once.
One day, everyone black, white, Jewish, Catholic, Muslim, Israeli, and Palestinian, will see each other as human beings. Racism starts a lot of terrorism. Once we learn to accept each other, terrorism will die out. One day, the dawn of hope will arrive and we’ll be free from terrorism. Cowards die many times before their heath; the valiant never tastes of death but once.

Jess

I have a dream… that one-day… world poverty will never be spoken of again. In the U.S.A. from the hopeful mountains in California to the sea of justice by Maine and New York there will not be anyone living in the streets with the bitter cold and the loneliness in their stomach. Now is the time every person in the world rich or poor, black or white, young or old, good or bad should have shelter over their head to protect them from the scorching sun. If there is an intelligent life somewhere in outer space, and every single living thing that lives there has a roof over their head, I wish… I wish our world would be just like theirs. No one would complain of the weather because even though it’s outside they don’t have to deal with it. Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country. Give to the poor when they’re begging for money. Who knows? They might be saving up all that they can just to get shelter over their family. Now is the time to act, now and forever. I have a dream, a dream that’s so strong, that one day everyone everywhere will have shelter, and will be happy because of it.

Rena

I have a dream… that child abuse will one day be prevented and that all children will be able to go about their day without being abused. Kids will not be full of fear when walking down the streets. Kids cry for help… Brave kid and scared kids fight for freedom of abuse. I tell all people that one day all children will be free from being emotionally and physically being hurt. That one-day all children will be free from abuse that any such person will stop abusing the children so they can go on with their lives and live a normal life. Oh say can you see that my fellows Americans that we must stop this profanity of are fellow children will not be abused, and that this madness has gone to far. Children are getting badly hurt from this abusing and some are even dead, and I ask what do the killers get out of this? Knowing they just killed someone and hurt their friends and family? What is the point? We should stop this madness right now. So I tell all of you we should go out there and make a difference in this world. We should change what’s going on and make the world better for are fellow children. Please help all children around the world and let them be able to not get hurt or die. Lean on me when your not strong and I’ll be you friend I’ll help you carry on… We all need someone to lean on…

Kristen

I have a dream that one day we will all live in a country free from violence. In order to form such a perfect union it is essential to work together hand in hand to provide secure every man, woman, and child. In order to establish such a just society, insure our society’s tranquility and promote the general welfare of each individual. The right of our people to be secure in their persons and houses shall not be violated in such a violence free society. So read my lips no more violence.

Michael

I have a dream a dream in which all boys and girls can join hands and not have to worry about being harmed by their parent or strangers. The time is now that we have to stop child abuse. We must help all children from the prepared plains and the misty mountains. We as adults must come together and prevent child abuse. We must let freedom ring for all the boys and the girls of the world. All I have to say is today I have a dream. Thank you.

Joanna

There will come a time in history when religion and heritage will not matter among the people of the world, nor will the people be judged by the rights and wrongs done by them. That time will come soon for I have a dream, a dream that one day we all shall be seen as one. A day when we will all be considered equal, and not disliked because of what we are and what we think. A day when our opinions will not cause hatred and violence, but peace and understanding.
The pure white gem of equality may have been lost in the cold, dark ocean of lies, misunderstanding, and war but we will find it again. Let us forget the differences that are between us all and look at the similarities that tie us together. All men are created equal and by ?all? I mean every black man and white man, every Asian and European, every African and South American, and every North American and Australian person.
If we do not become equal or even try to accept each other for what we are the wild winds of the west will brew up a mighty powerful storm that may take years to blow over. It has happened once before and look at the results were tragic, so what do you think will happen this time considering all the weapons that we have?
The dove of peace may fly in the sky of hope, but if we start to see each other as better then the rest of the world how long will it stay up there? How long will our friends be our friends and not turn against us? If we do not treat each other equally, then the answer is not long.
So let us see each other as a piece of a puzzle, without one we are incomplete, with all we are one and the same. Let the day come when all of us will accept the fact that we are no better then the next person. A day when the words war and hatred will be unknown, and the feelings of greater power and popularity be forgotten.
From the top of the almighty Andes Mts. to the bottom of the ongoing oceans let the people share their equality. From the distant North Pole to the hidden South Pole let the people show their equality. From continent to continent from sea to sea, let the world be equal at last!

Vicky

I have a dream that one day we will wake up and know that we will not see the Sears Tower fall. We will drink the water and not even bother to think that it is polluted. We will open letters from friends near and far, not worrying about anthrax. We will know that no nuclear bombs will fall on us.
I have a dream that the Taliban will find us peaceful, and know that we are only trying to help. That we do not want to bomb their land, that we are only trying to solve this peacefully, and through this we are hoping that they see that we are the friend, and not the foe. That we all bleed the same way. That we as a nation, want to join them and work on making the land that has been broken into one million pieces, a whole once again.
I have a dream that all people will understand what has taken us 184 years since they were written to fully understand, ?All men are created equal.? That we all bleed the same way. Whether you are black or white, Chinese or Iraqi, we will one day walk hand in hand across the

Leo

I have a dream that one day; we would not have to worry about terrorism. We as the people of the United States of America shouldn’t live in fear. We shall walk through the wall of fear and not worry about the fear that eats away at us. We should go about our everyday lives as if 9/11 never happened. If the terrorism in the world stops today, then the shining seas will shine again. We, the People, won’t live in fear, but will remain vigilant. On this day, here and now, no planes will ever touch a building again. On this day, here and now, no more people shall live in fear. So ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, people of all ages, let’s all work together to stop terrorism that is in this world today. And when terrorism stops, the bell of freedom will ring, so let freedom ring. Let Freedom Ring! Let Freedom Ring! Let Freedom Ring!!!!

Jessica

I have a dream that one day people of all lands will live in a world of peace, a world free of terrorism. I have a dream that one day the people of the world will be able to rest peacefully at night, without fear that their homes will be destroyed while they sleep. I have a dream that one day men and women around the globe will be able to walk about the streets not being threatened by bombs or war. Yes, I have a dream.
The time has come for every nation to join hands and spread peace throughout the world. The time has come to do away with hatred and learn to live with compassion in our hearts. The time has come for the clouds of terror to clear up and let the ray of hope shine through. The time has come for all men, black and white, Protestant and Catholic, Japanese and American to forget their differences and form a new way of life, a life that is full of hope and peace. Yes, the time has come.
Together we can make a difference. Together we can help to mend relationships among countries. Together we can foster a sense of interconnectedness. Terrorism is a tough topic to tackle. But yes, together we can make a difference
I leave you with the words of Albert Einstein, “The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.”

Julia

“With Liberty and Justice for All”. Every morning all around our nation, scholars state these words to our flag. But what does justice mean? And did former governor Ryan practice this idea that we call justice for all? I believe he did not.
On January 11, 2003, former Governor George Ryan gave blanket clemency to 176 prisoners on death row. The remaining four was pardoned from jail. Blanket clemency is the act of changing the sentence of the people being put to death to life in jail. Clemency is okay, when taken case by case. For example, if evidence for someone’s case cannot be proven without a doubt, clemency should be granted. However, in Addison, a pregnant woman and her two older children were killed. The murderer cut this woman open and took the living baby out of her. The proof of this case is definitely secure. Deathly debtors like these should definitely be placed on death row.
Former governor Ryan was defiantly not thinking about the justice of the victim’s families when he made the decision to blanket clemency to death row. Ron Gierlowski, whose sister was murdered, said, “The governor has walked out of the office, and on our hearts”. These families depended on our justice system, and it was wrong of the former governor to change it.
By granting blanket clemency, former governor Ryan did not give justice to police, prosecutors, trial judges, and juries. Former Governor Ryan has disrupted the meaning of the flag of justice. In conclusion,
Justice for all means that the powerful leaders will not take advantage of the powerless victims.
Justice for all means that compassion will be shown to victim’s families, and that their nightmare will be demolished.
Justice for all means that the innocent will be freed.
Justice for all, means that the new governor will search each and every case, then decide weather that case deserves clemency.
And I have a dream, that there will finally be Justice for All!

Courtney

All of our lives we’ve sat in front of the television watching people kill each other and those unstable lives who think that’s the right thing to do, go out to the streets and do all the things they see on T.V. I have a dream that one day we will abolish violence from our schools, communities, cities, and our nation. I have a dream we will be at peace with the world and instead of fighting long painful wars, that both counties would suffer from we would sit down and talk about it peacefully. We must take action against the illness of society that has contaminated our world for so long. We must take action to uncover the dark blanket of violence. We must take action against the gangs that are terrorizing our cities. Our Founding Fathers put forth a new nation conceived in liberty, those fathers had no intention of hiding in shadows they came to America to make something of themselves and to be free. GOD BLESS AMERICA, LET FREEDOM RING!