The Dream

Today, we honor Martin Luther King Jr and his dream. He was born January 15, 1929 in Atlanta and died April 4, 1968 in St. Joseph’s Hospital from an assassin’s bullet. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience.

His best known “I Have A Dream” speech was a defining moment for the American Civil Rights Movement. The 17-minute speech was delivered on the front steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Over 200,000 civil rights supporters were gathered and heard his impassioned voice calling for an end to racism in the United States.

I believe racism is still one of the biggest problems in the United States today. We have made many steps since King’s speech, but there are many more to be taken. The level of influence and power from my position as a white, male, middle class person in our country is so ingrained that I mostly do not realize it. I become aware of it when I am with friends, co-workers and citizens of another race or nationality.

May all of us pursue King’s dream with his same fiery passion.

“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."  Martin Luther King Jr.

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