How much of the Dream has come true?

[MattW]

Today is a celebration of Martin Luther King Jr, and though I wasn't even born during his lifetime, I can only imagine that the slow crawl of progress has (in general) made racism a losing position. Unfortunately, there hasn't been a huge upswell of hugging in the streets either, but the light of ridicule has pushed discrimination into the darker corners of our society.

In my life, I have seen and/or witnessed some great repudiation and awful legacies of racism. But the march of reason continues, and a major milestone is about to be passed.

Racism and inequality won't end tomorrow or next week, but Dr. King's dream is becoming more real every day that we don't hate for reason of color, creed, or sexual orientation.

I, however, will continue to hate others for their ignorance, cruelty, stupidity and greed.

[SHBueche]

I think tomorrow will go a long way toward reaching that goal, but certainly we have a long way to go ...

[mscelina]

Well, looking specifically at the "I have a dream" portion of the speech: I say to you today, my friends, 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, 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.


that Dr. King would be proud of the progress made and pushing for still more progress. Many of his dreams have come true. Some still have not. For the full text to this surprisingly short speech, go to http://www.usconstitution.net/dream.html

[Clair Dickson]

Progress is always slow. It was over 200 years of slavery and racism. That we have come far enough to elect an African-American as president is a good sign, I think.

Many kids, (in my experience teaching them) are quite tolerant. Actually it's more correct to say they're ambivalent about race or background. This too, I think, is a good sign for the future.

Though while one group has made it to the president's office, there are still others who are scorned and ridiculed for the color of their skin or their religion, even in America. So while there's progress-- there are still dark places where the Mexicans or the Muslims are the new targets. So far, and yet still so far to go.

[blacbird]

Today is a celebration of Martin Luther King Jr, and though I wasn't even born during his lifetime,

It does add major perspective to have been there, and cognizant of what was going on in the major years of MLK's influence on America. I was 17 when he made the Dream Speech, and watched it live on TV. I was 22 when he was killed. I do imagine it's very difficult for someone who wasn't around to get a complete feel for what was happening then, as it is for just about any other historical event.

But that's a nice post, Matt.

caw

[veinglory]

I think there is progress, but if MLK demonstrated anything it is that we should not accept that progress is slow. Progress is what we make it. It tend to be in fits and starts, not incremental.

[blacbird]

Progress is what we make it. It tend to be in fits and starts, not incremental.

Well expressed. And not without some pain and sweat, too.

To add a little more perspective, I'm also old enough to remember Governor George Wallace of Alabama standing on steps at the University of Alabama and vowing "Segregation now! Segregation tomorrow! Segregation forever!"

For a politician to do that today would be unimaginable. Yet it happened within my politically-cognizant lifetime. It's really too bad George Wallace isn't around to witness tomorrow's main event.

caw

[David McAfee]

It's really too bad George Wallace isn't around to witness tomorrow's main event.

caw

...not shedding any tears for Wallace's absence.

[William Haskins]

you may not shed any tears for wallace's absence, but in many ways, wallace is a excellent touchstone for a pivotal generation who changed their views.

wallace publicly renounced his segregationist past and went on to appoint african-americans to governmental positions in record numbers.

it's not necessary to forgive his prior sins in order to acknowledge that social change is rarely sparked in a new generation without some conversions among the old guard to set the stage for them.

[David McAfee]

OK. I have to confess my ignorance, William; I did not know that.

[blacbird]

you may not shed any tears for wallace's absence, but in many ways, wallace is a excellent touchstone for a pivotal generation who changed their views.

wallace publicly renounced his segregationist past and went on to appoint african-americans to governmental positions in record numbers.

it's not necessary to forgive his prior sins in order to acknowledge that social change is rarely sparked in a new generation without some conversions among the old guard to set the stage for them.

Excellent point, and true. Regrettably, Wallace's epiphany occurred after he was paralyzed by his assassination attempt at the hands of a fruitcake who had no known political motivation. And the biggest parts of the social change involved in the Civil Rights Movement had already taken place prior to Wallace's conversion, several years after the assassination of MLK, and after the University of Alabama discovered that recruiting black athletes was a good idea. Which is why it didn't make much news. It's heartening to know that he became a better human being later in his life, but it's not like he was out there leading the charge.

caw

[Cranky]

you may not shed any tears for wallace's absence, but in many ways, wallace is a excellent touchstone for a pivotal generation who changed their views.

wallace publicly renounced his segregationist past and went on to appoint african-americans to governmental positions in record numbers.

it's not necessary to forgive his prior sins in order to acknowledge that social change is rarely sparked in a new generation without some conversions among the old guard to set the stage for them.


True enough. But we definitely should acknowledge such changes of heart if we want progress to continue, and give people the benefit of the doubt, believe that they are acting in good faith.

ETA: Though in Wallace's case, he backed up his words with concrete action. I'd like to see that, too.

[scarletpeaches]

...I, however, will continue to hate others for their ignorance, cruelty, stupidity and greed.

"Don't hate. It's too big a burden to bear."
-Martin Luther King, Jr.

[Ken]

in the large city I inhabit King's dream was completely fufilled many years back. Racism doesn't exist here, and my sympathy goes out to those living in other parts of the nation where this ugliness persists.

[MattW]

"Don't hate. It's too big a burden to bear."
-Martin Luther King, Jr.How about ridiculing and shunning? Did he say how big of a burden those are?

[scarletpeaches]

I'm not sure of his position on ridiculing and shunning. Until such can be confirmed, ridicule and shun at will.

[Kate Thornton]

I am old enough to remember segregated water fountains and common-use phases that would either make you shudder or puzzle you as incomprehensible today. I am old enough to remember segregated schoolrooms and eating establishments and busses.

I remember "White Only" signs in public places, and restrooms where the only person of color permitted was the uniformed maid.

Every day I am amazed and delighted at the progress made, at so much of the dream realized, at how very different - and more complete - my world has become.

Segregation did us all a disservice. I'm thankful each day that it is gone. I am so glad that so many you have been born into a world without the memory of it, and thankful that there were so many great people - especially Dr. King, but also all who followed him - who worked so hard to make that part of the dream come true for us all.

[William Haskins]

in the large city I inhabit King's dream was completely fufilled many years back. Racism doesn't exist here, and my sympathy goes out to those living in other parts of the nation where this ugliness persists.

is this the emerald city?

[Don Allen]

My book, when it eventually gets published is a recollection of my experiances working between 1979 and 1982 in the Chicago Ghetto as a salesman selling weekly death benefit insurance policies to indigent blacks. I only mention it (cheap plug) because I seen things and heard things very few white people ever experianced outside that particular world, and what strikes me today, with the election of Obama, is that NO ONE in 1980, in that place would have ever dreamed that a black man would ever be elected to the Presidency, EVER. Regardless of MLK, whose pictures, along with JFK and RFK and the white Jesus, adorned every wall of every person's house I ever entered. It's almost hard to explain my own feelings being white, but knowing how destitute and out of main stream life many of those poor souls I encountered felt only 2 generations removed from slavery and in many cases less than a life time removed from the deep hatred of blacks from the south. Tommorrow is a special day, and a day that would have never happened without the Rev. King, or the countless other brave souls who through their actions helped a nation to understand the wrongs of the past, and fufill the promise of a piece of paper written over 200 years ago that claimed all men were indeed created equal.

[Williebee]

"Don't hate. It's too big a burden to bear."
-Martin Luther King, Jr.

Amen.

Pity, empathize and encourage. We can't force change, but we can be an example of it.

[scarletpeaches]

Be the change you want to see in the world.

-M. K. Gandhi.

[blacbird]

My book, when it eventually gets published is a recollection of my experiances working between 1979 and 1982 in the Chicago Ghetto as a salesman selling weekly death benefit insurance policies to indigent blacks. I only mention it (cheap plug) because I seen things and heard things very few white people ever experianced outside that particular world, and what strikes me today, with the election of Obama, is that NO ONE in 1980, in that place would have ever dreamed that a black man would ever be elected to the Presidency, EVER. Regardless of MLK, whose pictures, along with JFK and RFK and the white Jesus, adorned every wall of every person's house I ever entered. It's almost hard to explain my own feelings being white, but knowing how destitute and out of main stream life many of those poor souls I encountered felt only 2 generations removed from slavery and in many cases less than a life time removed from the deep hatred of blacks from the south. Tommorrow is a special day, and a day that would have never happened without the Rev. King, or the countless other brave souls who through their actions helped a nation to understand the wrongs of the past, and fufill the promise of a piece of paper written over 200 years ago that claimed all men were indeed created equal.

Quoted, because I want to emphasize it, and pass on many credits to Don for this excellent post.

caw

[Zoombie]

I feel like we've made great leaps and bounds.

Jessie, a girl in my class, would disagree with me.

But...Jessie is a pessimist, as far as I can tell.

Also, I'm not black...what if there are subtle things that I miss due to me being...white and all.

But I'll still say, seeing as how 200 years ago, African Americans were in chains, and now one of them is about to lead our country...yeah we've made some progress, yeah.