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.