A Dream Deferred to a Dream Fulfilled - MLK Day 2011

On January 17^th, we observe the birthday of one of our nation’s greatest heroes, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In his landmark “I Have a Dream” speech (full text here), King speaks of his hopes for the nation fulfilling its promises of equality and justice for all. While we as a nation have made substantial strides in meeting these promises, we still have a long way to go before fulfilling the dream of Dr. King and thousands of citizens across the nation.

We continue to live in a country where countless people go to bed each night without a meal in their stomachs or a roof over their heads. There are thousands of smart, capable, and deserving children who are not getting the education they need simply because they’re in an underfunded school district. Many people continue to live in poverty, and remain in a vicious cycle due to a lack of access to well-paying jobs, higher education, and acceptable living conditions. As a nation founded on the tenants of equality, it is simply unacceptable to allow this to continue.

As we remember Dr. King and his powerful message, we must also look at the present and help to secure the future he envisioned for all people. MLK Day is recognized nationally as a day of service – join people across the nation in helping those for whom the dream remains deferred. Find projects and charities in your community dedicated to improving education – a good start is running a search on DonorsChoose.org. Find a food pantry in your community and regularly volunteer. You can also make a donation towards efforts to alleviate poverty and hunger in our nation.

The greatest way to honor someone’s memory is to fulfill the dreams they shared that inspired us all. Please remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by remembering those who are still waiting for their dreams to be fulfilled.

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