MLK DREAM: STILL A DREAM TODAY

Dreams are seldom realized in reality and for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. his dream of a place where his four little children could live and not be judged by the color of their skin but judged by the content of their character; unfortunately still exists only in his dreams in 2009. With the aid of historical stereotypes that have been passed on by generations of the white majority, many sit in judgment of members in the African American population for no other reason than the color of their skin.

The American society today has not changed much in the Negro eye since Dr. King’s untimely demise in 1968. The civil liberties of blacks have not been stripped as in the days of slavery or the segregated Jim Crow South of the 1960s however, the white lid is still firmly sealed a top the mason jar of America with only a few black holes punched in it, where a selected few have “escaped” to economic freedom and prosperity. Yet even in the age of Obama- the nations’ first African American president- blacks in this country still experience continued unequal treatment. From the racially biased laws of the American judicial system to the daily harassment by police departments of blacks to the recent activities that occurred in the town of Jena, La., one can clearly see sections of the heartland and the upscale social elite scene that have not changed. If Dr. King were alive today he would be outraged and saddened that the checks written by our fore-bears are still being tendered in-sufficient funds.

In his famous “I have a dream” speech, Dr. King courageously encouraged us all to, “not fulfill our thirsts for freedom by sipping from the cup of hatred”. Although, most of the hatred of blacks today has “changed clothes” and moved to the World Wide Web or the corporate board room. The discriminatory and second class disregard that many still hold and attach to their view of the black population is indicative of the basic fundamental failure of his dreams’ primary objective, that one day black people would be judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reported on their official website that blacks were three times more likely than Hispanics and five times more likely than whites to be in jail in the years 1990 -1996. This is an alarming awe-inspiring, statistic since African Americans make up just 12.8 percent of the United States population. There is something foul here and it reeks of Jim Crow and the racial segregation of the South in the 1960s.

The debate against Black History Month is another glaring sign of the racial divide that Americans must begin to do more to close if we are to ever begin to see a true realization of Dr. King’s emblazing dream. An article printed in the February/March edition of the “North Dallas Gazette” further illustrated the need for racial recognition in a country that is so diverse and which has been blind by fanatical hatred against minorities since it was founded. Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Negro History Week, once said, “What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race, hate and religious prejudice” he was right. These celebrations serve a dual purpose: first to build self-esteem among historically oppressed people; and second to remind all Americans that in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, our diversity is our greatest strength.

Of course, not all of the negative opinions that many have of blacks exist solely because of race. Many feel this way in part because a portion the African American populous has done little to change from their apathetic and stereotypical ways regarding education, reading, and an honest hard days’ work. In 2005, the African American drop out rate was 10.4 percent compared to that of whites which was 6 percent. Instead of taking advantage of the freedom to read and explore the new frontiers in America, far too many African Americans youths are spending countless days and nights on the street corners hustling, or selling drugs, or making babies. Even more disturbing is the fact that of the 89.6 percent of African American high school students that actually graduated, had significantly lower standardized tests scores and their entrance into institutions of higher learning after graduation has only grown slightly over the past decade.

If Dr. King were alive today he would surely want to go back to sleep and dream again. Had he known that we would have only progressed this far in the 30 years plus since his passing, he would want us to do more to hold those forces in government accountable. He would hold weekly podcasts encouraging real improvements in education, and reading. He would spearhead research developments into new ways to invest in technology while simultaneously creating hope for the future. He would advocate a new movement against the racial injustice that is being levied against African Americans today and his promise of a revolution would be in full throat against that mighty machine of racism to ensure our collective voices were heard.

Works Cited:
1. “I have a dream speech” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 1963
2. “Jail Statistics” Bureau of Justice Statistics http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/jails.htm
3. “USA Quick Facts” US Census Bureau http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.html
4. “Black History Month – Needed now more than ever” North Dallas Gazette, Vol XVIII, Num VII
5. “Table 104. Percentage of high school dropouts (status dropouts) among persons 16 through 24 years old, by sex and race/ethnicity: Selected years, 1960 through 2005” http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d06/tables/dt06_104.asp?referrer=report