AEC - Humanities

Summary

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech is a powerful call for racial equality and an end to discrimination in the United States. He begins by referencing the Emancipation Proclamation, signed a century earlier, which was meant to grant freedom to enslaved African Americans. However, he points out that true freedom has not yet been achieved, as Black Americans still face segregation and discrimination.

King envisions a future where his children will be judged not by their skin color but by their character. He dreams of a day when racial injustice will be replaced with brotherhood and equality. He paints a vivid picture of a Mississippi transformed from a place of oppression to an oasis of freedom.

King emphasizes the power of faith and unity, declaring that with these, they can overcome the mountain of despair and transform the nation into a harmonious symphony of brotherhood. He calls for a day when all of God's children, regardless of race or religion, can join hands and celebrate their freedom together.

Throughout the speech, King uses repetition and vivid imagery to drive home his message of hope and perseverance. He calls for freedom to ring from every corner of the nation, from the hilltops of New Hampshire to the mountains of New York, from the Alleghenies of Pennsylvania to the Rockies of Colorado, and from Stone Mountain of Georgia to Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.

He concludes by invoking the image of all God's children singing together, a testament to his belief in a future where everyone is truly free. The speech is a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice and a call for all Americans to unite in the pursuit of a more equitable society.

Lyrics

The birds they sang

At the break of day

Start again

I heard them say

Don't dwell on what has passed away

Or what is yet to be

Ah, the wars they will be fought again

The holy dove, she will be caught again

Bought and sold, and bought again

The dove is never free

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack, a crack in everything

That's how the light gets in

We asked for signs

The signs were sent

The birth betrayed

The marriage spent

Yeah, and the widowhood

Of every government

Signs for all to see

I can't run no more

With that lawless crowd

While the killers in high places

Say their prayers out loud

But they've summoned, they've summoned up

A thundercloud

They're going to hear from me

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack, a crack in everything

That's how the light gets in

You can add up the parts

But you won't have the sum

You can strike up the march

There is no drum

Every heart, every heart

To love will come

But like a refugee

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack, a crack in everything

That's how the light gets in

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack, a crack in everything

That's how the light gets in

That's how the light gets in

That's how the light gets in

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Leonard Cohen

Anthem lyrics © Stranger Music Inc.

Leonard Cohen's "Anthem" is a song that acknowledges the brokenness and imperfections of life, yet finds hope and resilience within them.

The song begins by describing a world filled with cracks and fissures, where everything seems to be falling apart. Cohen sings of broken bells and flags, symbolic of a world in disarray. He acknowledges the darkness and pain that exist in the world, stating that "there is a crack in everything." However, he also recognizes that this brokenness is not the end.

In the chorus, Cohen proclaims that the cracks are where the light gets in. He suggests that it is through our vulnerabilities and imperfections that we experience grace and beauty. This is not a call for blind optimism, but rather a recognition that even in the midst of suffering, there is a possibility for redemption and transcendence.

The second verse continues this theme, with references to a broken Hallelujah and a broken vow. These images suggest that even the most sacred and cherished aspects of life can be shattered. However, Cohen insists that even in this brokenness, there is still a chance for healing and transformation.

The song concludes with a reaffirmation of the chorus, emphasizing the message that the cracks are what make us human, and it is through them that we experience the fullness of life. It is a song of hope and resilience, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is always a chance for light to shine through.

"Anthem" is a powerful and evocative song that resonates with listeners on a deep emotional level. Its message of finding hope and meaning in the midst of brokenness is both timely and timeless. The song's sparse instrumentation and Cohen's haunting vocals create a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, drawing the listener in and inviting them to contemplate their own experiences of brokenness and redemption.

Amy inspires us to connect art and social work. She teaches us how art and social work have been helping her to be curious about the possibilities that rest in people and places, and how she can be the best “helper” and walk with people in their stories. Amy Morales Lara is a daughter of immigrant parents and a native of the Bronx NY who is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work degree from the Silberman School of Social Work at CUNY Hunter College, as she working toward becoming a counselor for the diverse youth of the Bronx. Amy is deeply determined to merge her life's greatest passions: the creative arts and mental health work, as she finds that their intersection can bring healing and liberation in the lives of others. Along with being a graduate student and working full-time as a researcher coordinator at the Rose F. Kennedy Center, Amy also finds deep value and meaning in the community work she does with her local church. Amy is also a Cabrini-Hunter clinical fellow, published playwright, and emerging singer-songwriter. Her first EP, "In Bloom", is available on all major streaming platforms. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.