Late Rev. Nicholas Hood on the March on Washington
On August 28th, 1963, nearly 250,000 people from around the country marched to the Mall in Washington D-C to hear remarks from civil rights activists. The climax of the event was Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior’s “I Have A Dream” speech.
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaks to thousands during his "I Have a Dream" speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in Washington on Aug. 28, 1963.
On August 28th, 1963, nearly 250,000 people from around the country marched to the Mall in Washington D.C, to hear remarks from civil rights activists. The climax of the event was Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior’s “I Have A Dream” speech.
Detroit was well-represented at the March – with hundreds of area residents attending the event. Among them was the Reverend Nicholas Hood, Senior – then pastor of Plymouth United Congregational Church. Back in 2013, he shared his memories of the day with WDET’s Jerome Vaughn.
Hood said the day was electric.
“It was the most amazing experience. As far as you could see, there were buses loaded with people from all over the country, coming into Washington DC. It was just unbelievable.”
Hood said it was a joyous day, but no one knew what to expect. Civil rights leaders reviewed their speeches, writing and re-writing remarks. But Hood said there was just one speech that people remembered.
“Well, I’m telling you, he just mesmerized the audience. He electrified the audience. And when he got to the ‘I have a dream’ portion, there was a rhythm to it. And when he got into the rhythm, people all throughout the mall got into the rhythm with him. ‘I have a dream. I have a dream.’ And he was saying something.”
Hood said hearing Dr. King’s speech was a spiritual experience. He said it was a day where Blacks felt like human beings. This was during the struggle for Civil Rights, where Blacks were beaten and even killed in Southern states for speaking out against injustice. “It was a day when we were given a moment of relief from the daily burden of racial segregation.”
The Reverend Nicholas Hood, Senior attended the March on Washington in August 1963. He worked with Doctor King and other civil rights leaders in the 1950’s when he lived in New Orleans. Hood said he had no idea the march would be a historic event.
