I started thinking about Martin Luther King Day last night and I had just started a biography of Sojourner Truth, a female slave who left a mark on her world and America. There is a play about her called: God and a Woman.
MLK’s speech, “I had a dream” was equivalent to the Gettysburg Address. I think that if he were alive today he would give a new speech, maybe even stronger than his original, amazing words.
I think he would continue to decry the racism that still exists. He would exhort us to insist on equality for everyone, no matter what their race, religion or lack of one, education, economic status, or perceived or actual disability.
I think he would be speaking out for progressive ideas and working hard to get Congress to do their jobs. I think he would have a lot to say about all of the fighting in the House and Senate. It is a shame he is not here to raise that thundering voice for the people of America. He was a great man. A man I respect enormously.
I know that I have a dream today, and I do think that Martin Luther King would approve.
I dream that we can Stop the War on Women. I dream that we can Stop Violence in the Home. I dream that we can make sure every child has a good education. I dream that we can stop banks and other lending facilities from gouging students on their student loan payments.
I dream that No means No and that all rapists or molesters will be punished as severely as if they had committed murder. Because rape is a sort of murder: it kills a victim’s life and sense of safety and is a horrible violation that changes the victim’s life forever.
I dream that all countries take in refugees and treat them with respect and care for their needs. We have done it before, when the refugee could have been looking to do America harm. But we took in the Jews, Poles, Gypsies and refugees from other countries. Jihad is a war. We need to respond to those who are homeless, stateless, hungry and in need of clothes and food. One country cannot do it all but if we were to work together, there would be much less suffering for those on the run.
I think Martin Luther King would agree with these thoughts and he would say it much better than I can. But he isn’t here to do that, because those who were small-minded and threatened by a black man saying courageous things stopped him in the most final and violent way possible. So we must say it, on his behalf and on behalf of everyone else who cannot speak for themselves.
We must have a dream where every person receives equality and justice. MLK would be so upset about the mass murders and cops killing black people and Asian people and Hispanic people and yes even Caucasian people.
I believe if we work together we can make his dreams come true. We can create the world he envisioned. We can take care of each other and feel a responsibility for other people. We can stand shoulder to shoulder with each other and with his memory to make this world just, equal and peaceful for all people and countries.
Namaste,
Barbara
Martin Luther King Jr.
idealisticrebel 
We share these dreams!
Thank doesn’t surprise me, my friend. Thank you for coming by and commenting. Light and hugs, Barbara
Same to you, dear friend!
(((((Standing Ovation))))) !!!!!!
What you stated could very well have been written by D. King, it’s that well stated.
What he had to overcome is still amazing and he knew & stated, he faced being killed every day. That is an amazing tower of strength.
Even more amazing is his families stance on James Earl Ray. His son visited him in prison and asked 1 question….did you kill my father. Ray denied it (despite overwhelming evidence, not to mention the plastic surgery) and his family basically forgave him. Now maybe some of the details have been lost, bur what stronger message could his family send than that.
Even though there have been great strides, we’re still eons away from achieving his dream. Maybe in our lifetime this will happen, but racists breed needless hate.
I still say………. “Why can’t we all just get along”
Your praise humbles me. I just wanted to do his memory justice. I didn’t know his family forgave him. It shows what a beautiful family he had. Every day that we put positive actions and light into the world, we fight the hatred, judgement and evil. So here we are every day doing what we can with our blogs and other actions. Hugs, Barbara
And they say keep hope a live. We have to believe goodness will one day prevail.
Every day that we believe goodness, kindness, compassion are real and here in our world, the closer we come to peace. Hugs, Barbara
Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
Thank you as always. Hugs
We must continue to dream and to work toward a better world for all.
Oh, so true. Which is why our writing is so important. We put positive energy and light into the world. We fight the darkness. Hugs dear friend, Barbara
A lovely, inspiring, and nicely written blog. Thanks for your presence here on this planet, and the way ou make yourself heard. Hugs, Tasha
Oh Tasha, thank you so much for your kind words. I am going to begin volunteering in DV. I feel I need to do more to make this a better world. Shalom, Barbara
Thank you so much for coming by and leaving such a nice comment. You are the sweetest woman I know and so very wise also. Hugs and light, Barbara
You are a Beautiful Dreamer! Keep to up. 🙂
Come and dream with me, Carol. But then since you are here you may be all ready. Hugs, Barbara