50th Anniversary of a Dream

Martin Luther King spoke on August 28, 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. A crowd of more than 200,000 people had gathered on that day to March on Washington for jobs and freedom. It was one of the largest demonstrations at the capital at that time. Martin Luther King was a key leader for the Civil Rights Movement. His passion helped ignite significant changes of equality in our nation.

Today, as the country celebrates, President Obama will give a speech marking this significant anniversary. A new poll from the Pew research Center finds that one in four African Americans say the situation of black people has gotten better during the Obama Presidency; one in five said things have gotten worse.

I take that as an indication of some progress and some work still needed. I wonder what King’s reaction would be today with the progress since his speech 50 years ago. I wish I knew what his response would be in those areas that have gotten worse.

The county I live in is 96% white. There are more ethnic groups making their home in our community than previous years.  You and I have a role to play in making the dream a greater reality in our communities. Showing respect and honor to all people regardless of race, status or gender is one of the simplest ways of making the dream have a greater impact in the world around us.

Celebrate this important anniversary by committing to give practical application to equality because of a deep current of love running through you.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7,13
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

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