UP Ibalon Bicol: Recalling Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I have a dream”

Recalling Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I have a dream”

1/20/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

“We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.”---Martin Luther King, Jr. (08/28/63)

Today, January 19, 2009, is a federal holiday in USA honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr (MLK,) the martyred black Baptist minister who was a preeminent pillar of the civil rights movement in the 1960’s. His heroism is celebrated on the third Monday of the first month of the year, proximate to his birthday on January 15.

Known for his “ I have a dream” speech which galvanized blacks to pursue it’s relentless fight against racism and discrimination, MLK is remembered today coincident to the White House ascendancy of the first black President: Barack Obama. During the “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom,” Dr. King delivered the inspiring speech on August 28, 1963, from the steps Lincoln Memorial during a rally of about 250,000 people.

To remember and pay homage to eloquent black leader who dared to dream and presently enjoys an 86% positive approval rating across demographic groups in USA (Rassmussen Polls, January 2009,) the full text of "I have a dream" may be accessed and viewed at:

www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk

Delivered more than half a century ago, the speech remains a unique barometer on how far United States has gone in improving its track records on civil rights, justice, and race relations. Admirable strides have been made to realize MLK’s cause, but there are still much to accomplish in the name of liberty, justice, and equality that USA and all nations of the world should do. (Photo Credits: Martin Luther King PD; traqair)=0=