"I have a dream....."

Comment

Comment by Les W. Mess, Jr. on April 8, 2011 at 1:58pm

     For the past couple of decades, I have viewed this speech as a type of litmus test, for relations in America, so to speak.  Has American society progressed enough in the past 48 years towards racial harmony to say that Dr. King’s dream has become a reality?  Sadly, I feel that it has not.  While we should not discredit the advancements that have been made in certain areas; overall, there is far more work left to be done than many will admit to.  I remember growing up in the 1970’s and 1980’s in Colorado… it was no longer open racism towards African-Americans; it was hidden and ignored.  The results of course are that to this day the issue is not being discussed as it should be.  Because of this America suffers.  It wasn’t even until May of 2000 that all 50 States recognized MLK Jr. Day as an official holiday (South Carolina being the last to recognize the holiday if I understand the issue correctly).  No, there is much left to address.

Instead of working to fulfill this dream, in my youth society seemed to halt on progress and understanding, and even advanced open bigotry towards Asian-Americans while patting themselves on the back for what was viewed as success in addressing racial harmony with African-Americans.  And today, this has been replaced by open racial bigotry towards Arab-Americans and Mexican-Americans.  As my daughter is Mexican-American, I watch with a broken heart while her complexion affects almost all aspects of her life.  As a human being, an American, and as a father; I share Dr. King’s dream, and hope that one day my daughter, the nation, and the world will know it not as a dream, but as reality.  Thank you for sharing this video Gordon.

Comment by prince on February 25, 2009 at 12:32pm

I reject any religious doctrine that does not appeal to reason and is in conflict with morality