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An American Dream
“I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the
history of our nation”, said Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his first sentence of his “I Have a Dream” speech.
Forty-five years later these words still ring true. This event which led to the Civil Rights Law of 1964 put our unions as
well as our country on the right path. The march on Washington for “Jobs and Freedom” was the cornerstone event
in our American history that provoked the necessary politics needed to pass this law. This law was a necessary step if our
unions and our nation were to truly strive for the intent of the Declaration of Independence, so that all people could proudly
call themselves Americans. America was segregated and so were our unions. Many unions did not fully support the Civil Rights
movement, but it was not so with the UAW. Walter Reuther with his vision of a “Great Society” and an outspoken
advocate for Civil Rights knew that if the UAW was to be a united workforce that the disparate and indignity, which were the
social norms, needed to be abolished even in the UAW. In auto plants blacks as well as other minorities were either janitors,
worked in the foundries for lower wages, or were not hired at all. If the American dream was to be realized, it was crucial
that the Washington March be a success. By far it was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who made the greatest impact not only on
our Unions but on America as well. During that time in our nations’ history it was obvious that Dr. Kings’ non-
violent movement had taken on his character, his faith and his integrity. He had gained the respect of President Kennedy and
met with him several times to state his cause. His, I have a dream speech hit the core of the intent of the framers of our
Constitution and Declaration of Independence. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are, Life, Liberty, and the pursuit
of Happiness. He called America to the floor stating, “that this note was a promise to all men, yes black men as well
as white…” I myself am a benefactor of this great mans’ heart and courage. My father a Mexican/American
was a chipper in the factory until 1967, and not until then were wages and job opportunities made available for him. Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. made it possible for unions to strive for social and economic justice, which is the heart of the UAW Constitution.
I believe Dr. King has made the greatest impact in our union’s history. Because of his dream I can personally call myself
an American/Mexican and can pursue an American Dream.
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