What does Martin Luther King mean by blank check?

—Martin Luther King, Jr., “I Have a Dream…”, 1963. In this context, Merritt means that the District Attorney’s office promised the family transparency about their decision making, but failed to live up to that promise. Like a bad check, the promise was worthless.

What is bad check in I Have a Dream?

King describes inequality in America as a bad check. He describes the Constitution and Declaration of Independence as “a promissory note” (4.2) owed to “all men” including African Americans (4.3). African Americans have come to “cash this check” (5.3) at “the bank of justice” (5.1).

What is a quote from I Have a Dream?

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed — we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.” “Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.”

What did Dr King urged African Americans to do?

Speaking at Vanderbilt University in 1957, he professed his belief that “there is in the white South more open-minded moderates than appears on the surface.” He urged them to lead the region through its necessary transition to equal treatment for black citizens.

What promissory note does Martin speak of?

Martin Luther King, Jr. called the Declaration of Independence a “promissory note” of freedom.

Which cultural influence came from the black power?

Change in Lifestyles The Black power movement did not only result in a change of mindset, it also resulted in a change of lifestyle. The pride in their black identity encouraged some African American people to change their names; they adopted African names instead of the white names they have been given.

What did MLK say to my people about wrongful deeds?

King admonished his followers: “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.