[/caption]Today is the birthday celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I am excited about this celebration, not because I am African-American and his legacy lives in me, but because the dream of Dr. King lives in all of us.
One of the dreams of Dr. King was for economic empowerment of the poor. In America during the Civil Rights Movement there was a disproportionate amount of poor people of color. Dr. King was distressed over this and began the Poor People's Campaign. He had a dream for all people to have a piece of the American Dream. This country was considered the Promised Land for millions of immigrants who came to these shores, but too many of the people who already lived here couldn't be a part of the dream because of their color, class, or beliefs.
Dr. King wanted to empower the people economically and planned to march to Washington, D.C. with a multiracial army of people. The plan was a non-violent protest in front of the Capital until Congress enacted a poor people's bill of rights.
Most people think that Dr. King was only interested in ending racial segregation, but few know or remember that he wanted all people to be free from all types of segregation. Economic empowerment was high on his list of priorities once the horrors of segregation were exposed. Dr. King was murdered before the campaign could take a foot hold in this country.
The dream and legacy of Dr. King lives on. He wanted what you want for yourself. He wanted you to be free from suffering and poverty. So in the spirit of Dr. King today, think about what you will do to empower yourself economically and emotionally. How will you live out the dream?
6 comments:
Even in this economy, we must keep the dream of overcoming suffering and poverty alive. This morning I heard that the video gaming industry posted record PROFITS last year. Those are the types of reports that I focus on.
I agree. Just because we have made strides in the racial relations arena that doesn't mean the other part of Dr. King's dreams must die. We have to embrace the dream individually, go to the mountain top ourselves (visualize), and create a plan to live out the dream.
I am like you in that I try to focus on who is making money. It has to be going somewhere. I just can't believe that all the money is draining out into nothingness. Somebody is profiting...
I just read an excerpt from The Secrets of Six-Figure Women that said: No matter how tough things are, there will always be people prospering.
I'm encouraged, inspired, and now emboldened. GO LISA!
Martin Luther King is a role model for all people, thank you for mentioning that. Sometimes people forget that. He fought for quite a few causes, a great man for everyone. I often think about the sacrifice he and others during his time and before died for and wonder if the youth of today is squandering that dream or wasting there dreams but I know that its up to me to make a difference. Great post!
There is definitely still much work to be done. Poverty and homelessness remain a huge problem and they most certainly do stretch across color lines.
As we work individually for ourselves to be more and do better I can only hope that we will work just as hard for others as well. it starts with "us" and it all ends with policy change.
Well said Ms. Bar B. Well said...
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