What was the meaning behind martin Luther king cashing a check?

Martin Luther King Jr.'s metaphor of cashing a check in his "I Have a Dream" speech symbolizes the unfulfilled promise of equality and civil rights for African Americans. He referred to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution as a "promissory note" that guaranteed rights and freedoms to all citizens. By highlighting the ongoing struggle for justice, King emphasized the need for America to honor its commitments and ensure that all individuals receive the rights they were promised.