Raisin in the Sun

A Raisin in the Sun, a play by Lorraine Hansberry includes many similarities to Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. A Raisin in the Sun is about a poor African-American family who receives a life insurance check which could improve their life and make their dreams a reality. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech in front of thousands of people in Washington, D.C. as he demanded equal rights for all Americans. They both illustrate the long-awaited freedom that African-Americans want and also show the harsh realities that African-Americans had to face every day. The major similarities between Dr. King’s speech and A raisin in the Sun are racial injustice, living in poverty and dreams for a better life.

Racial injustice is definitely the major theme that A Raisin in the Sun and the “I Have a Dream” speech both display. The play and Dr. King’s speech both take place in the mid-1900’s when justice for racial equality was booming. Martin Luther King says in his speech “Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice……..to make justice a reality”. He is trying to say that segregation and racial injustice needs to end now and that people need to act and advance towards racial equality. A Raisin in the Sun also focused largely on racial injustice. The major scene referring to racial injustice was when Mr. Linder stopped by the Younger residence. He told the family that Clybourne Park was an entirely white town and that they would do anything to keep it way. The residents intended to pay off the family so that they would not move into Clybourne. The community’s fear of the Younger family disturbing their way of life was extremely prejudice. When the Younger family heard this news they flew into a rage. Walter then demanded Mr. Linder to leave their house immediately. This scene showed how angry and fed up the family