In the speech, he affirms his belief that all people, black and white, are created equal and should be treated as such; a simple but eloquent message that has gone on to inspire many people. Since then through activism, things have changed, but we have still not reached the ideal society that Dr. King describes in his speech.
Students in the time of Dr. King saw the difference he was making and many became actively involved in achieving racial justice. Despite many beatings and arrests, in just six months student sit-ins ended restaurant and lunch-counter segregation in twenty-six southern US cities. This later went on to be successful against segregation in public parks, swimming pools, theatres, churches, libraries, museums and beaches.
His lessons in the power of organizing protests, boycotts and general direct action are just as valid today. With the economic crisis, racist attacks on campus, course cuts and the increase in tuition fees, students have a lot to be active about and we need to seriously consider how we go about this to ensure that our voices are heard.