I Have a Dream

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inEquality, Martin Luther King, Jr.Tags:, ,

I Have a Dream

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

On January 21, 2013, the world celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.   There are those individuals that transcend national boundaries and speak to the hope of humanity.  Martin Luther King, Jr., an American clergyman, activist, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement, was such an individual. He delivered the “I Have a Dream” speech at the celebrated 1963 March on Washington.  His message was about fairness, justice and, above all, equality.

This week, I want to explore the state of being equal as we understand it within the human experience. Equality can be assessed on quantity, degree, value, rank or ability.  In the end, it is about placing value on life itself.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, “Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

17 thoughts on “I Have a Dream”

  1. I am happy that is a speech that is of my lifetime. I was not at the March but it is part of my life history. A wonderful happening; memorable ,say,as the first man on the moon. Not an event of ancient history books, but one I am a witness to.

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    1. I agree – we lived the history, even though we were only present in spirit!! A good friend of mine was at the march with his family. His eyes still shine at the memory. Thanks for your comments! It it night in Vancouver so it must be morning in your time. Have a wonderful day.

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  2. There are those that seem to be meant to be leaders and big dreamers. Their dreams really impact a nation and the world. Their dreams become or are becoming reality.

    I think we shouldn’t forget that we also should be dreamers and realize dreams of fairness and equality can be fulfilled in our own family and neighborhood.

    We need to be part of the dream and not leave it to others.

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    1. Absolutely – as you said so eloquently:”we need to be part of the dream and not leave it to others.” This is the difficult part – walking the talk. Most of us do not recognize our personal prejudices and inequitable value systems. And yet, I believe that we strive for the best of humanity. Thank you for sharing your thoughts – so much appreciated.

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  4. What an inspiration he was. One of my favourite songs of all time is the Marvin Gaye, “Abraham, Martin and John. I’m sure you know it but just found the lyrics to share:

    Marvin Gaye
    Abraham, Martin And John lyrics
    Songwriters: RICHARD HOLLER

    Has anyone here seen my old friend Abraham?
    Can you tell me whe he’s gone?
    Oh, he freed a lot of people
    but it seems the good die young, yeah.
    I just looked around and he was gone.

    Hmmm

    Has anyone here seen my old friend John?
    Can you tell me whe he’s gone?
    You know, he freed a lot of people
    but it seems the good die young, yeah.
    I just looked around and he was gone.

    Oh yeah

    Has anyone here seen my old friend Martin?
    Can you tell me whe he’s gone?
    He freed a lot of people
    but it seems the good die young, yeah.
    I just looked around and he was gone.

    Has anyone here seen my friend Bobby?
    Can you tell me whe he’s gone?
    You know, he freed a lot of people
    but the good, they die young, yeah.
    I just looked around and he was gone.

    Oh, I just looked around and they were gone, oh yes

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  6. My father used to say: I saw the first automobiles and was alive to know about the landing on the moon. Yes, this important speech is a part of my many memories and I am glad.

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