Dr. Martin Luther King

Tomorrow we honor MLK with a national holiday. I've been wondering - how we are supposed to do it? It got me thinking. How can we truly honor him? We have yet to do it since his death. His dream has been a nightmare.

Dr. King dreamed that all should be judged on the content of their character, and not the color of their skin. He dreamed that all would have equal treatment in society. There has been none of it, except by those who would be branded as racists.

Can anybody tell me anything that has happened since Dr. King was murdered that would suggest that his dream was even slightly fulfilled? I can't honestly think of anything. All through the years, skin color has been mentioned constantly - even highlighted. No matter what is in the news, color has been pointed out - unless you are a white person. Whites have never been able to tell a "black" joke without being branded a racist, yet blacks can tell jokes with whites as the subject. Blacks can tell black jokes but whites can't. Mexicans can tell Mexican jokes, but whites cannot. You cannot dislike someone's actions because of those actions if you are white and they are non-white. If you want a gay/black/Mexican criminal to receive a harsh sentence, you will be branded as a gay/black/Mexican hater or racist. That is not equality. That is not judging people by their character.

We have a president-elect today - two days before his inauguration. People say that this is a historic time, because we will have our first black president. Should it be? What in his character is so remarkable? It is only because of his color. The emphasis has only been on one thing, and it's not any character trait. In fact, there are many questions that would cast doubt on his character. I have been dissatisfied with many presidents in the past, including Clinton and the Bushes. Never once was I or anybody else who expressed dissatisfaction been branded a racist. Since our election, one has to be careful to not make negative comments about our president-elect, lest you take the very real chance of being branded a racist. I suspect that this will continue throughout his term. Would Dr. King approve? I doubt it.

Why is our president-elect being treated as if he was in office upon winning the election? Because of his color. (No other president-elect has ever been the object of overwhelming media coverage over the sitting president in such a way.)

Why is this a "historical" time for America? Because of our president-elect's color.

Our economy is pretty much in the tank. It's a real mess. Never before has such a hoopla and expenditure been made for an in-coming president. Why? We, the taxpayers, will be footing a huge bill for this, when frugality should be in order. Much more is being spent on this inauguration than any other. Why? Why is he so special that he needs to spend so much more of our money, just to take an oath of office? Sure, have parties and celebrations if you will, but take it easy on our money.

Can't we honor Dr. King by doing what he envisioned? Let's realize Dr. King's dream just once in our lifetimes. Let's come down to Earth and practice real equality. Call me a racist if you like, but I'm doing my part to fulfill Dr. King's dream. I do and will treat everybody the same, and you will be judged on your character. I don't care what you look like or what lifestyle you have.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Accusations of racism that lurk in the shadows do nothing to further Dr. King's dream. It is rooted in the bitterness and hatred of which he speaks.

The only way to further Dr. King's dream is to look upon another's skin with no more importance than the color of his hair or that of his eyes. Racism knows no bounds. All colors can be (and often are) victims of racism - black, brown, yellow, red, and white.

Dr. King, I salute you. I hope and pray that some day your dream will be realized for all mankind.


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