What would Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. have to say about America if he were alive today?
Before we can answer that question, we must ask: who was Martin Luther King? He was born January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was an African American civil rights movement leader in the United States from the mid-1950s until his untimely death by assassination in 1968. He has a national holiday in the United States established in his honor and a memorial built at the sight of his "I Have a Dream" speech; and he is arguably the most widely known African American leader of his era. What would Dr. King’s thoughts be about America today?
Not only was he a symbolic leader of American blacks, but he is also a world figure - at the age of thirty-five, King, Jr., received the Nobel Peace Prize. Over time, he became widely accepted as an American icon because of his bravery and fearlessness in the fight against inequality. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today to Americans represents the principles of racial equality and nonviolent social change. His “I Have a Dream” speech has many key points that he wanted to address to his followers regarding the civil rights movement. He urges them to “demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice”. Would Dr. Martin Luther King be satisfied with what the nation and world transitioned into today?
So just what would Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have to say if he were alive today? This is what I believe he would say:
48 years later after I have delivered my “I Have a Dream” speech, an African American president has been elected. I refused to believe the bank of justice was bankrupt and this election is a slight testament to the guaranteed “unalienable Rights” of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Now is the time that the real promises of freedom have gradually come fourth to the light. Now is the time that we continue to prove justice for all of God’s children. Two thousand and eleven is not an end but a beginning. We must reach majestic heights with soul power, we must not be wrongful of any deeds; we must, we must satisfy our thirst of entering the true palace of freedom. We are bounded with our white brothers and “their destiny is tied up with our destiny; their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom” as I have previously brought forth in my “I Have a Dream” speech. We cannot be satisfied, we cannot be satisfied, and the quest for freedom has left our ancestors battered. I still have a dream, I have a dream and I will continue my quest. We must continue to acknowledge that “all men are created equal”. My people, we are still being judged by the color of our skin though we are judged by the content of our character. White boys and girls are able to join hands as brother and sisters, hope is no longer stone. With this faith, with this faith, let us keep chiseling at the idea of letting freedom ring!
If Dr. King were alive today he would reap the benefits of the new found definition of freedom, however he would not be satisfied with the inequalities still present in modern society. His dream has been reached to an extent; progress, evolution, gradualism are all things that must be fought for. “We never can be satisfied” is one of the main key focal points he repeated in his “I Have a Dream” speech. With his faith, he would continue to dream and lead a positive path towards the security of justice and riches of freedom. America has come far and has made improvements when it comes to equality, however there is always room for more progression through great trials, tribulations and opposition.
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This Article was Written by Evelyn Ortiz.
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