A Legacy of Inspiration and the Dream that Remains

by Cody Lyon
Dr. Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech is without a doubt, one of the most important moments in United States history. King, whose voice thundered those historic words from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington some forty five years ago, was and still is, unmatched on the pedestal of moral leadership. King's legacy still inspires the collective quest for equality and liberty for all. Taking this day to honor and remember Dr. King's brave leadership, speaks well of us as a nation.

But sadly, for far to many, the dream goes unrealized, remaining just that, a dream. America is still a land filled with barriers where the ladders of economic and educational opportunity arrive at birth on the doorsteps of some, but remain seemingly light years away for others.

In today's America, the quest for justice, equality and liberty for all Americans is alive, but as recent headlines show, enforcement has been in a state of collective lethargy. This is certainly a trend that must change, because in the end, if justice and morality do not eventually win, history has shown, whatever that system is, corrodes and eventually collapses from within.

Dr. Martin Luther King's "I have a Dream" speech woke up a nation to the sins of a government tolerated system steeped in racism. Although today's inequality umbrella is perhaps less blatant and covers a more racially diverse pool of our people there is plenty of evidence that the dream, remains a dream, evidence available for all to see in our schools, neighborhoods, prisons, banking system, our tax structure, crime victims, our military, our media and even in our churches.

Dr. Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream Speech' inspired a movement and called a nation to examine its conscience. It is as inspiring today as it was some forty five years ago.
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FULL VERSION OF THE "I HAVE A DREAM" SPEECH BY DR MARTIN LUTHER KING