By: Brent Longnecker
One of the greatest speeches ever given was Martin Luther King’s
“I Have a Dream” speech given on August 28th, 1963.
It is arguably one of the greatest—if not the greatest--
speeches ever given on racial harmony.
HARMONY
A positive state of inner peace, calmness, and balance, as well as being
tuned in with the world; a pattern of sound relationships within society.
Dr. King knew then, like I / you know now,
that we are NOT in harmony as Americans.
There is NO calm, no peace, no balance.
Rather, so much strife; so much divisiveness.
He said:
“Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from
the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct
our struggle on the high plain of dignity and discipline.”
Well, I too HAVE DREAMS for us as a nation as well.
And although I am not the magnificent speaker Dr. King was,
let me share with you, in writing, my dreams for this great
nation we are blessed to call the United States of America!
I HAVE A DREAM
That our politicians will all quit being so divisive.
Rather, they stick to the facts like Lincoln and Douglas
did in years gone by as both civil and respectful!
I HAVE A DREAM
That the press -from FOX to CNN- stop trying ignite hate, prejudice, and
fires that don’t need to be there just to sell ads and juice ratings.
Rather, they go back to reporting and the sharing of facts and
stop the bias and prejudice they bring into our homes,
families, and our nation.
I HAVE A DREAM
That when we as Americans disagree on issues, we do so where
we will not be judged and/or humiliated.
Rather, we listen with the intent to understand, and
our bonds will be made stronger even in our disagreements.
I HAVE A DREAM
That our government and elected officials stop trying to “buy”
our votes with worthless promises. That they quit acting
like parasites and become the patriots we voted them in to be.
And as such, they honestly and factually share what their
positions are truthfully and are willing to be held accountable, accordingly.
I HAVE A DREAM
That we quit recklessly spending as a country.
Rather, we balance our budget, pay down our
deficit and purpose to put in programs aimed at
EMPOWERING rather than ENSLAVING!
I HAVE A DREAM
That the United States takes on its role as the world’s greatest
democracy and economy and share it where we can to help others not so fortunate and blessed.
I HAVE A DREAM
That our Constitution be adhered to and used as the
cornerstone of life, liberty and for ALL …our pursuit for happiness.
I HAVE A DREAM
That our three distinct and key branches of
government never be tainted with personal or
selfish party agendas and not bought and biased
by special interests and the rich elite.
Rather, we keep them separate and apart to ensure the checks and balances we as a country need to stay focused, strong, and accountable.
***
Dr. King said on that great day that we should
all hold to our dreams as we all dream for a better tomorrow-
“We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds
in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation.
We have come to remind America of the fierce urgency
of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of
cooling off or take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism.
Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy!”
AMEN and AMEN!
***
I HAVE A DREAM
That our resources and talents as a nation be
utilized to their fullest such that
we are independent, safe, secure, and
the most creative and innovative nation on this planet.
I HAVE A DREAM
That my children… our children …and their children will
not be left with a bankrupt society
that we allowed to happen on OUR watch.
Rather, they be given EVERY opportunity to
excel and discover their God given talents
and make this country an even better beacon to the world at large!
TO BE BETTER THAN US!
I HAVE A DREAM
That we are eternally grateful for
the gifts and talents God has given us all-
whether believer or non-believer.
“For gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues,
but the parent of all others.”
Cicero
Dr. King was so much more than just an amazing speaker during segregation between races at the time. I believe he was speaking to all of us
on the biases and prejudices we all have.
So I ask you, are we any less biased and prejudiced today as we get ready
for the upcoming elections?
Isn’t it time for all of us to “join hands”?
Wouldn't Dr. King want us to DREAM!!
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