What is the main idea of this? Please help-I'm terrible in english-

Question

What is the main idea of this? Please help-I'm terrible in english-

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared into the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of captivity. But one hundred years later, the Negro is still not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of indiscrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition."

Answer 1

I'm sorry-I needed to know what the theme was

Thank you

Answer 2

This is the beginning of Martin Luther King, Jr's "I have a dream" speech. You will find the text as well as audio and video (scroll way down) of this speech here:

http://www.mlkonline.net/dream.html

Let us know what YOU THINK the theme is.

Answer 3

The main idea of this passage is that despite the Emancipation Proclamation being signed one hundred years ago, African Americans are still not truly free and continue to face systemic injustice and discrimination in American society. The passage highlights the stark contrast between the promise of equality and freedom and the harsh reality that African Americans continue to endure. The speaker emphasizes the need to address and bring attention to this ongoing issue, referring to it as a "shameful condition."