To Honor Dr. King

Today is quite possibly one of my favorite holidays of the year. There are no presents exchanged, no decorations placed around the house, and certainly no fancy meals prepared. However, today is quite possibly one of the most important holidays of the year. Today we celebrate the birthday of a Civil Rights Leader - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - a man who stood in the face of adversity and racism and never faultered. In the face of violence, such as that experienced in Selma, he stood behind words and faith. He did not fight violence with violence. He is an inspiration to us all - no matter our skin color.

Dr. King's work lives on today - especially in the South. We see inequality in Jenna, where young African American boys were indicted on trumped up charges by a white sheriff, and in New Orleans, where many, many people are still displaced and homeless as the result of Katrina. Sadly, we also see inequality in a Presidential race. Comments such as, "American's not ready for a black President," are being spoken today. Fear not Dr. King, your legacy lives on. We are still fighting for equality of ALL peoples - white, black, Middle Eastern, Asian, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, etc, etc. You have brought us a long way Dr. King - however the journey is not over yet. Thank you Dr. King for your inspiration, your courage, and your faith.

A Portion of Dr. King's I Have A Dream Speech:

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

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" -- one day right there 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 exalted, and 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."²

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.