In Honor of Dr. King
Today we take time to celebrate one of the greatest Civil Rights leaders of all time - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King stood up to racism in an era when our country saw only black and white. His speeches are some of the greatest ever written. As with most other holidays, we're quick to forget the symbolism behind this day. It's hard for people from my generation to imagine a time when black and white did not mix. It's hard for me to fathom that there was a time, not so long ago, when African Americans were not permitted to drink from the same water fountain as whites, or eat in the same diners as whites. Most of all, it's hard for me to imagine that society judged man not by his skills and compassion, but by the color of his skin. Dr. King's work is not done. Racism still runs rampant in America. I fear Dr. King's work will never be done. It is my dream that one day, my children will look at the world and only see people - not colors. Thank you Dr. King for your passion. The world truly is a better place because of you.
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, that one day right down in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exhalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together." ~ Excerpt from "I Have a Dream" by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, that one day right down in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exhalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together." ~ Excerpt from "I Have a Dream" by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
posted by ahsirt at 6:15 PM
2 Comments:
Unfortunately, most of Dr. King's work came from shaming white America into doing the right thing. I'm not sure that most Americans feel shame anymore, black or white. Young black men kill other young black men with no regard for anyone else or anything else. White psuedo-Christains now wish to treat gays, lesbians, and immigrants with the same disdain that was once reserved for black America - and they feel no shame for doing so.
After four decades, the dream is no closer and most of white America doesn't even know what the dream was. "I have a dream that one day a man will be judged by the content of his character and not the color of his skin." Amen, and let me add his religious creed, his political belief, his national origin, his language, or his sexual persuasion. The founding fathers were not perfect, and could certainly be veiwed as racist by today's standards. But at least they beleived in freedom as an ideal if not an actuality. I'm not sure America really believes in freedom anymore - in practice or as an ideal.
George Bush mentions freedom at least 10 times in every speech he gives. It is the reason we are in Iraq (albeit the fifth reason we have been given)and the reason our boys and girls are dieing everyday. We give more lip service to freedom than any other nation in the world. Doesn't the lip service still make us great?
As for Dr. King, Why is it that men who are willing to show us a new way are always struck down before their vision is fulfilled? Why is it that men of peace always get murdered? It makes one believe that if you stick your neck out against the status quo it will be chopped off. I hope America can find a new voice before 2008. After listening to Al Gore's speech yesterday right now he is my choice as the front runner to lead us out of this dark time in American history of fear controlling all debate. It is time that America gets to hear a full debate on what is happening in the world and gets all the facts.
"I have a dream" that America will wake up from its slumber and again lead the world on all justice issues.
"I have a dream" that America will not choose what tyrants to topple based on the amount of oil under the soil but on the atrocities being perpetrated on mankind.
"I have a dream" that our leaders will allow us to make decisions based on the facts and not 30 second spots and sound bites.
America can once again be great but only if Americans really want it to be.
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