Tags
anniversary 50 years, equality, I Have a Dream, Martin Luther King, peace, speech, United States, USA
“Now, I say to you today my friends, 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.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
On the 50th anniversary of this speech that did change so much at that time and moving forward, I am afraid the dream of MLK has not been realised. Although obviously leaps and bounds of progress has been made there remains hatred and the fact that many people still feel the blood of humans that don’t resemble themselves is somehow different. That feelings are different and not as important as their own.
It is my hope:
- that one day one million little refugees, most under the age of eleven manage to march 1,000,000 strong in the future having grown up to be decent human beings
- that each and every life becomes as important as though it was part of your own family – the family of humanity world-wide
- that hatred be eradicated and in its place understanding and education and tolerance
Of course the list doesn’t stop there but it is such a tall order that I dare not dream or express my dreams as Martin Luther King Jr. did nor am I able to do so quite as eloquently. He was a fearless man. May he be remembered and honoured on this day and every single day throughout history for the impact he made not only on the USA but on the world.
I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH – King’s “I Have a Dream” Speech: http://www.archives.gov/press/exhibits/dream-speech.pdf ©1963
I have read and listened to this famous speech many times and the one thing that always strikes me is how current it remains. I look forward to the day this speech is ‘dated’.
Peace be at the gathering(s) today.
Lesley Fletcher is a writer (freelance, books, content, lyrics, stage plays) as well as a visual artist. To learn more about her please visit the tabs here on WordPress or her website at Http://www.LesleyFletcher.com
Inspiration Import 
Living in South Africa, this is extremely relevant. I see devastated human beings around me every day. It’s hard work to stand up out of years of oppression.
LikeLike
This must have been a special moment at the time.. Even here in the UK it was news, big news, and it has hit the news on this anniversary and MLK’s grandson making equally good speeches.. brilliant piece of history.. 😉
LikeLike
Yes, I can picture myself there. It hitting the news will hopefully bring people in the US a little closer = we can only hope. 🙂
LikeLike
So good! I can still recall the classroom I was in when I heard the MLK speech.
Echoing your hopes my friend I believe we can do better as the human race. It starts with each of us.
Like you, letting it begin within.
Your post points in specific ways we can work towards accomplishing this. I like how you point these out. I also look forward to that day.
You say you are not fearless Les, I think you are.
Just in the last few posts alone that I have read I see you doing things that make a difference, as as your writing does. I see your writing as fearless.
Just thought I’d share another perspective of you.
Hugs to you ~
LikeLike
That perspective is well received. Thank you BB ~ Hugs back in total appreciation.
LikeLike
My pleasure in being able to share my thoughts ~
LikeLike
My husband was there, 50 years ago. He remembers. I remember too. Thank you.
LikeLike
Wonderful memories and being a part of history. It must have been illuminating.
LikeLike
The March had a multitude of meanings not the least of which was jobs. On that level, we are still struggling. There’s talk of more opportunities but they have been limited and eliminated over the course of the last 30 years by the 1%. I could site many more examples of battles won, of course. But we are living in an age of backlash given the recent decisions on the Voting Rights Act and restrictive voter registration laws . Thanks for a wonderful post.
LikeLike
It always gives me food for thought. Progress is slow isn’t it? Karma is slower but time just motors along as always. So many battles to overcome as the world has become such a tiny place!
LikeLike
Have listened his speech many times, each time, it means something… Thank you for the wonderful post, Lesley!
LikeLike
Thank you Amy. Yes it is a classic reminder of who we should be and what we should aspire to be. Have a wonderful week ahead.
LikeLike
It is a very current and significant speech – we should never tire of it. Here in South Africa we have been using the occasion to speak of our dreams for our beloved but beleaguered country.
We are not only created equal (though at times it seems some are more equal than others in ‘their’ view) but we need to treat everyone with the equality we grant ourselves. Our blood is all the same colour, red, irrespective of the colour of our skin. Though some seem to believe theirs is blue.
Thank you Lesley – we need our dreams – and we need to reach for and grasp them and use them for the betterment of all. We are all connected.
LikeLike
From your pen to all who will read and comprehend. You are indeed in a beleaguered part of the world Susan. It must be very difficult for someone as open-minded and loving as yourself to deal with day to day problems. Namaste. Thanks so much for your wisdom and eloquence.
LikeLike
Thank you Lesley. And also just to say about Syria and the US and other nations possibly getting involved – may all be guided by their consciences and awareness that we are all connected. These are troubling times for each and every one of us. Raise the vibrations … we all need less fear, better still no fear, and more loving kindness in the world. That is my dream.
LikeLike
I share that dream. No fear here – just disappointment some days. Raise the vibrations indeed!
LikeLike
Lesley – What a lovely post! Dr. King was fearless, and he was strong enough to really dream big dreams. And if you don’t reach for the stars, you’ll never even get to the moon, so I’ve always respected that about him. As for your dreams, I think they are wonderful, and very well-expressed.
LikeLike
Absolutely wonderful man. I just read your post and see we have a bit of synchronicity going on :). Great posting as usual.
LikeLike
Thanks! And I noticed that about your post too. 🙂 Great minds and all that…
LikeLike
🙂 and all that jazz hahaa
LikeLike
A good tribute to a great man Lesley. I only wish he’d made a bigger impact on the world like he did in North America. We have a tendency in North America – where people are mainly men/women, equal and free – to take on the problems of the world where racism and inequality are still running rampant in places. I see only good people and bad people (regardless of race) now in North America. I can only pray with the internet and other medias we can bring awareness to those places it’s most needed.
LikeLike
Ah yes. The Internet has its purpose set up but so many are using it to spread hatred and lies (misconceptions) – It seems everyone thinks they are qualified for so many jobs! (casting director, president, news correspondent just to name a few) 🙂 The negativity has me reeling.
LikeLike
Yes, the media is very much questionable, I agree. I only wish it could all go to the times I remember as a child – where it didn’t seem important – the color of your skin. We didn’t have many blacks in the middle of nowhere Saskatchewan but we had loads of Natives and Chinese, which were always just people like we were – the good, the bad and the ugly (talking personalities here). The ability to take a bad situation and find something positive is an ability you have – and should spread, regardless of how many brick walls you have to go through. You can do it.
LikeLike
Thanks so much Mary. Your words mean a great deal to me. Encouragement to carry on in spite of negativity is so welcome to me and my quest. I am going to the beach – the ocean where I think the cleansing will do my soul some good. No Internet is so necessary for me to cool my worries about the world. 🙂
LikeLike