Sixty years ago, on August 28th, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gifted us with the resounding words, “I have a Dream.” Yet, with the heart-rending incident over the weekend in Jacksonville, Florida, it becomes hauntingly clear that the dream remains unrealized for so many.
A cherished high school friend posed a question on Facebook in response to the shooting. Though I could paint countless tales of her extraordinary spirit, what weighs heavily on my heart today is how the world perceives her and so many others through the lens of skin color. After the Jacksonville tragedy, I saw her plea on Facebook and felt the anguish in her words:
“When will this stop? What are you personally doing to shift this reality? Black people are being hunted and killed for no reason at all besides the fact that they have more melanin than their mostly white male hunters. Evil triumphs when good people do nothing. Read that again.What are YOU doing personally to shift this reality?”
I had no good answer. What am I doing personally?
In the synchronous way the Holy works, I went to church this morning and was blessed to hear Dr. Nathaniel Granger, Jr. embody Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and deliver the “I Have a Dream” speech. I believe it’s the first time I heard it in its entirety.
Afterward, I sat down to write to my friend,
“This morning, your words were a raw echo in my heart. I wanted to bridge the chasm of pain, yet words felt so distant. I wanted to hug you and bring comfort in a wordless way, but the miles between us don’t allow that.
Later, I found solace in a sanctuary. I attended the 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech and, for the very first time, I heard every word, delivered with such passion that it moved the entire congregation.
The silence in some moments was so profound I felt every heartbeat around me, and at other times, the air vibrated with affirmations and applause. The community was unified, standing, living the dream, if only for a moment. I heard the phrase “meeting physical force with soul force” and something deep within me found the clarity I was looking for. Soul force is not just a call to action but a commitment to living every moment authentically, standing shoulder to shoulder with those we hold dear, even in the face of adversity.
Today, I stand beside you, my friend. I may falter in words, but my heart is reaching out to yours to share the anguish. I share your pain and your hope for change. Today I’ll begin with a prayer, hoping it lays the foundation for the path ahead. We will keep the dream alive, together.”
Even as I share these words, I know we have to DO something more than talk about change. But what? Here are a few suggestions:
How to Keep the Dream Alive:
- Educate Ourselves and Others: Continuously learn about the history of civil rights, the ongoing struggles, and the stories of those who’ve come before us. Encourage schools and communities to incorporate comprehensive diversity and inclusivity curriculums.
- Engage in Conversations: Actively engage in conversations about race, even when they are uncomfortable. Challenge stereotypes and prejudices whenever we encounter them.
- Support Black-owned Businesses: Economic empowerment is key. By supporting Black entrepreneurs, we can help in creating thriving communities.
- Mentorship: Offer our expertise and resources to mentor the next generation. By uplifting others, we strengthen our communities.
- Vote: Actively participate in the political process, understanding that every election, from local to national, impacts the course of justice.
- Participate in Community Outreach: Volunteer, donate, and support organizations that are actively working towards justice and equality.
- Reflect and Self-Examine: Continuously look inwards, checking our biases and privileges. By acknowledging them, we can work to overcome them.
- Amplify Black Voices: Share, celebrate, and listen to Black stories, music, art, and literature. Create platforms where these voices are heard.
- Hold Authorities Accountable: Demand transparency and fairness in our law enforcement and judicial systems. Join or support watchdog groups that push for reforms.
- Unity in Action: Organize or participate in peaceful demonstrations. The strength of a collective voice can push for monumental changes.
Let’s remember that the journey towards equality is ongoing, and it requires all of us to play an active role. As Dr. King said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” The dream will stay alive as long as we persist in our efforts, together.
If you’d like to hear Dr. King’s I Have a Dream speech, click here.
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