Turning the dream into reality

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. King’s quote can be applied anywhere not just of a man, but also in a home or in a nation. 2013 marks the 50-year anniversary of his efforts in the American civil rights movements when he led the March on Washington in 1963 and delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was at the nation’s capital on August 28, 1963. At that time it was the largest demonstration ever seen in the nation's capital, and one of the first to have extensive television coverage, being attended by some 250,000 people.

His efforts prove to have not been in vein as the country has shifted away from those of the past and now offer equal rights to all. However as a nation, we have a new fight and are in new times. Then, it took the voices of people for change. Now, not so much. The measure of our nation deteriorates daily as it seems we self-destruct by fighting against ourselves. As individuals, we are equal but as voters and voices we fail. The higher authorities now drown out the smaller voices and seldom hear us out. But, it’s because our voices are so different. None are as an entity united. It’s republican views versus democratic views versus liberal and so on. There is no togetherness.

When restrictions on guns are considered we self-destruct as communities with harsh words that insult our neighbor’s political views as if the neighbor has anything to do with the banning or keeping of guns. We say things like those damn republicans or those damn democrats always changing stuff, when really it’s not exactly that.

If we all pull together for the betterment and improving of our country regardless of who initiates the idea the United States can return to the world power it once was. Just because we disagree on political views doesn’t mean we have to disagree to stand united. That’s what propelled us in the times of war and depression. We stuck together.

Let’s not wait for times of difficulty to pull together. Let’s not wait for another Hurricane Katrina or another Sept. 11 attack to call on God and pray for our country to stand together. Let’s do it when things are quiet and looking good, when the sun is shinning. We can accomplish a lot more and please many more people. We just have to stick together. In America, we are Americans, bottom line. So cherish your neighbor because these other world powers like China and Japan understand divided you fall. Be proud to be an American, and make our ancestors who fought to keep this country proud of us for not letting their blood, sweat and tears be in vein. Let’s make their dreams our reality.

Blessings