The Dream Lives On

I've just been thinking a lot today about Dr. King and his impact on our world. I was barely over 10 when Dr. King was murdered in Memphis. I can't honestly say I have any actual memories of him, as far as the fight for Civil Rights is concerned. I do well remember black people having separate entrances at the doctor's office, separate bathrooms and drinking fountains, etc.

I don't remember anyone in my family ever being overtly racial. We lived among black people and only knew them as neighbors. We all helped each other in tough times but they didn't go to church with us and we didn't socialize in any way except just farm related things.

When I think back on that time, I never remember being taught that black people were bad or unequal to us, but I do remember going to school at the 'whites only' school and that the black children went to a separate school down the road. I also remember how upset everyone was when the black children were first allowed to come to our school.

From all I've read and seen about Dr. King, he was a peace-loving man who only wanted black people to be treated as equals in every way as white people were. I have always thought it was so much more than a tragedy that he was murdered. To think that someone would murder a man just because he wanted his children to grow up equal with every other child is unimaginable to me, both then and now.

It is no secret that I am no fan of Barack Obama. I think he was elected to the Presidency of this country for all the wrong reasons. Be that as it may, the fact remains that he will become our 44th President tomorrow. Therefore, I choose to support him and pray for him and have since Nov. 5, 2008.

Whether I personally like him or not, what a message it sends to all black Americans on this day that Dr. King's dream may finally actually become a reality. How amazing for black children to look up and see a man who is President of the United States of America and he looks very much like them.

Dr. King had a dream for equality for all. I pray we have reached the time in this country when his dream can become a reality. I pray people will look at each other without prejudice or judgment; that we can meet each other on level ground and move forward. That is my dream. Only time will tell if both Dr. King's dream and mine can actually become a reality among human flesh with human frailties.