The Dream

Pictures from Time Magazine's #OneDream Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of The March on Washington

Today, like many of you I am reflecting on the Dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  I am always filled with emotion listening to the speeches and remembering the price my parents paid to also make Dr. King's dream a reality.  Because my parents and many of yours, marched, protested, boycotted, and were good followers of a great leader.  They were not afraid to be counted and they made things happened to make life better for not themselves, but us. His dream became their vision . Their vision became our goals. It was One Man. One March. One Speech. One Dream. But, One Nation's people advanced the One Dream.

But looking at our situation today, we still demanding jobs, quality public education for our children, a peaceful world. health care, and civil rights for all.

Although, we have more African American and women in elected and appointed positions, we also have more poverty  and the University of Memphis just reported that 50% of Shelby County are working poor people.

My parents, and yours did not face threat of danger so elected officials can trade votes to attain a new title or position and the trade off is to not support education for our county's children.

They did not work by day and organize at night  for us to bow down when our cafeteria, custodial, and bus drivers are asked to accept less than a living wage and no benefits.  They marched for just the opposite.  Even if we fail in the vote, they marched so we could take a stand for the least of these and our vote is counted with standing with giving opportunity to the least of these.  To paraphrase Dr. Martin Luther King, "Not everybody can be famous, but everybody can be famous."

They did not boycott to forfeit the opportunity for black and freedom loving elected officials to become the oppressors.  I know, that was harsh.  But, I must get your attention.  I support PK and want to vote for it.  But, when you are less than honest with this public, it troubles me. The referendum is a regressive tax, which means it will hurt poor people more than others. I want to support it, but when 1/2 of the funds collected will be used to lower property taxes of the wealthy and well-off by taking money from the poor and working poor, it become a "bait and switch". When the State Comptroller criticizes our Pilot program and the money our city owes the Memphis School Board and we do nothing to address, either.  It troubles me. They didn't boycott to forfeit government that represents all its people for one that lacks integrity.

The dream was for me; I was ten years old at the time.  It was for our children and grandchildren, and the children I will never know.  It was for our children to aspire and know they can be whatever they choose to become if they prepare themselves in its pursuit.  It had nothing to do with calling each other "Bs", "Ws" and "Ns".  He already knew we could do that.  He called us to a dream of a higher purpose.

The dream wanted a peaceful nation and world.  Noble Prize winner Barack Obama understands that war regrettable is sometimes necessary to obtain "peace".  But, it should be a last resolved.  And we must have peace in our streets and peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts. We must say "No" to crime and "yes" to hope through education, family values and standards. 

The dream had lofty goals to improve the quality of our lives.  The dream had nothing to do with our titles, but how we live our lives.  It had nothing to do with our laurels and awards, but how we stand for righteousness and it challenged a country's moral integrity.  The dream was not a "bean counter".    Instead, the dream ensured that every American was counted and valued as a human being with the right to pursue his or her life, liberty and happiness.

So, let celebrated the 50th Anniversary but live the dream.

TaJuan

The Notetaker