When the playing field is leveled between the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners, it should be a time of rejoicing that true democracy and equality are well within our reach.
But yet, here we are approaching the 53rd anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s death at a point of great uncertainty.
Come Wednesday, we will definitely – hallelujah – have a new president and vice president along with other new faces in Congress. But we will also have the distraction of an ousted leader who has incited discord among his gullibly violent followers. Let’s stay prayed up.
Not unlike the African American groundbreakers in business, most sports, the entertainment world and the fashion scene, the Stacey Abrams and LaTosha Browns of the world have made an indelible mark on the face of politics. There is still much work to do, but their organizing and galvanizing in places like the state of Georgia has given many renewed hope that some dreams are still worth dreaming.
If Dr. King had not been tragically assassinated on that fateful day in 1968, he would have just celebrated his 92nd birthday. Seeing how 40 is the new 30, 50 is the new 40 and so on, it is believable that the reverend may have still been visibly active in the movement. He would have been chummy with Barack and Michelle, but in light of Covid-19 concerns, he probably would have watched Joe and Kamala’s inauguration from home.
Dr. King would have been a hip older gentleman who would have been overjoyed at the fruits of his labor as African Americans accumulate wealth, hold powerful positions and play vital roles in daily society. At the same time, however, he would be disheartened at the high numbers of African American men who are incarcerated, the disparities in higher education for these same men, the reduced earning power for Black households and the systemic racism that continues to challenge the freedoms and liberties of African Americans in the United States.
On this sacred day of remembrance and service, “let us not wallow in the valley of despair.” For every dream imagined and realized, dream snatchers are lurking to turn back the clock and turn dreams into nightmares. A 92-year-old Dr. King would have likely already seen his share of ups and downs to the point that the peace that passes all understanding gave him inexplicable peace in the face of adversity. We can’t lose hope.
“I have a dream that one day every valley shall be engulfed, every hill shall be exalted and every mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plains and the crooked places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.”
Excerpt from “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 1963
For those who still dare to dream, keep dreaming. Keep achieving. Keep believing. Keep praying. Keep conquering. Keep the faith.
-Sojourner Hope
