I Have a Dream, 50 Years Later

50 years ago, on a hot and sweltering August day in 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered one of the most memorable and significant speeches to millions of people present and watching on televisions all over the world.  His call was selfless and peaceful.  He wanted to ensure the rights of all Americans were protected and recognized, regardless of the color of your skin or social circumstances.  His non-violent, rational approached inspired countless people in all generations to examine their conscience and sparked a societal change long overdue. 

Below is the transcript from the “I Have a Dream” speech delivered in Washington, DC on August 28, 1963:

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.

In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."

But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.

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.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. 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 plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.

The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.

We cannot walk alone.

And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.

We cannot turn back.

There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: "For Whites Only." We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."¹

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest -- quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."²

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:

My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,

From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.

And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.

Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.

Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.

Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that:

Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.

From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

                Free at last! Free at last!

                Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!³

What was the purpose of the speech and who was the intended audience?  Did the speech accomplish its purpose?  How do you know?  Do we still feel the effects of this speech today?

Summer 2013

Welcome back to school.  Even though you have not been in class, I hope you have been paying attention to some sort of news.  This summer has had its fair share of intriguing stories.  Below are a few from various aspects of society.

Celebrity news

The big celebrity news had to be the birth of Prince George Alexander Louis.  Prince George was born on July 24^th to Prince William and Kate Middleton.  The news was filled with every detail of the baby’s coming arrival and all the events that have happened since his birth.

International unrest

Egypt is a mess.  It has been a mess for more than 2 years.  In 2011 the people protested to force the leader out of office.  After a successful overthrow, Egypt conducted its first democratic elections in decades.  While not everyone was pleased with Mohamed Morsi’s election to lead Egypt, it did seem as though Egypt was moving in a democratic direction.  Just over a year later, the people have taken to the streets again to force Morsi out of office.  The political unrest has resulted in approximately 900 deaths in the past four days as the government of Egypt tries to establish some stability.

Uneven playing field

The biggest sports story has to be the ongoing steroids suspension in major league baseball.  Around a dozen players were suspended a couple of weeks ago for using illegal performance enhancing drugs.  Every player has accepted the suspension without appeal, except one.  Alex Rodriguez is continuing to fight the charges against him.  To me the entire story is ridiculous.  Throw them all out of the game for cheating and lying.  We need better role models in society and in sports.  I could also mention the ongoing saga of Johnny Manziel, but I get nauseous every time I see another story about him…

Close to home

Idaho is on fire.  After a dry winter and a hot summer, the conditions are perfect to have an incredible fire season.  Over the past few days the Sun Valley area has gained the nation’s attention as over 700 firefighters are going to battle with the fire which has destroyed 100,916 acres to date.  The fire started by lightning on August 7^th and has been spreading even since.  More than 2,300 residences of Sun Valley and Hailey have been evacuated.

Do you pay attention to the news?  Why or why not?  Which types of stories interest you?  What do you think was the biggest story of the summer?

End of the Year

The 2012-2013 is rapidly coming to an end.  With the end of the school year comes the end of your time at St. Joe’s.  You have been a tremendous class.  You have greatly contributed to the culture and legacy of the school.  You should be proud of your time at St. Joe’s as individuals and as a group.  Whether you have been here one year or nine, you have influenced the school.  Thank you.

I hope that at some point you can look back at your time at the school with the same admiration as we have for you.  I hope you can look back on your years at St. Joe’s as fun and challenging.  I hope we have prepared you for high school and beyond.  The teachers have been committed to providing you with a good education and with the morals and values that are based in the Catholic faith.

Whether or not you are great friends with all of the people in your class, you will forever be linked to them.  You have shared a unique and special experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life.  You will grow apart as you continue through life, but whether it is two years from now or twenty, you will reminisce about your days from kindergarten through Hallissey and everything in between. 

Thank you for coming to St. Joe’s.  Thank you for being great role models to the school.  Thank you for showing the people of our community what it means to be a student at St. Joe’s.  Thank you for everything you have done to make our school what it is today.

What are your fondest memories of your time at St. Joe’s?  What will you miss the most?  What advice or words of wisdom would you like to leave behind for the classes that follow?

The Holidays of May

May is full of holidays and special days.  Throughout the month you have May Day to Memorial Day.  There are holidays for mothers, workers, and teachers.  It can be a festive month which also marks the end of the school year.  From start to finish, below are some notable special days:

May 1 – May Day

Celebrated as the unofficial start of spring, festivals and parades are common across the globe.  The use of flowers and the May pole are traditions.

May 1 – International Worker’s Day

To commemorate the 1886 Haymakers’ affair in Chicago, over 80 countries observe the 1^st of May as a national holiday to celebrate the workers.  The Haymakers were able to secure an eight hour workday and improve the safety and treatment of the workers.  Over the years the activities have been led by socialist, communist or anarchist groups.  The original intent was to recognize the rights of the workers and their safety and financial security.  Unfortunately, the day has also been full of riots and destructive parades.  In Seattle this year 17 people were arrested for various reasons including the destruction of property when someone through a skateboard through a Walgreen window.  8 police officers were injured as they attempted to break up the anarchy.  These often violent protests have occurred in many places annually. 

May 5 – Cinco de Mayo

Possibly the most misunderstood holiday.  Most Americans assume Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of ^th.  Cinco de Mayo is not even a national holiday in Mexico.  It is primarily celebrated in the province of Puebla.  In 1862 the French decided to invade Mexico and make it a territory.  Before the French made their way to Mexico City, they met a ragtag group of Mexican citizens which fought and defeated the superior troops. 

Mexico’s independence.  They are all wrong.  The national holiday in Mexico recognizing their independence is September 16

While the town of Puebla commemorates the day, it is not a big holiday throughout Mexico.  The commercialization as well as a tie into the Civil War has elevated this holiday in the United States. 

May 7^th – National Teachers Day

It is not a national holiday, but more of a day to recognize the people who take on the profession of educating the youth of our country.  I personally do not need a day of recognition.  Working with all of you each day is all the thanks I need. 

May 9 – The Ascension of Jesus

40 days after the resurrection of Jesus, we celebrate His Ascension into heaven.  The description of the Ascension can be found in Luke 24:50-53 and Mark 16:19.  A more detailed description can be found in Acts of the Apostles 1:9-11.

May 12^th – Mother’s Day

Circle this day on your calendar each year.  Our mothers do more for each of us than we could ever imagine.  They are your biggest fan.  They work tirelessly to provide you with a great life.  They are selfless, generous, caring, and deserve to be celebrated every day of the year.  Make certain to give your mom something special to let her know how much you love and appreciate her.  Make sure you give her a hug and tell her you love her. 

May 18 – Armed Forces Day

This is a day to thank the members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps for their patriotic support and defense of our nation.  The day was initiated by President Harry S. Truman.  

May 19 – Pentecost

This is a Catholic holiday celebrating the gift of the Holy Spirit to the disciples of Jesus. 

May 27 – Memorial Day

The national holiday was originally designated to honor the men and women who have died in defense of our country.  It started soon after the end of the Civil War to recognize the price paid by both Union and Confederate soldiers.  It has since been expanded to all men and women who have given their lives in defense of our country.  People have taken this time of remembrance to honor any loved one who has passed, regardless of military service.  Loved ones visit cemeteries and bring flowers or other mementos.  The decoration of our national cemeteries is remarkable.

As you can read, May has a holiday for everyone.  Which May holiday do you enjoy the most?  Do you have any special traditions with any holidays above?  Were you surprised by any of the holidays?  If you could create a holiday, what would it be and why? 

Earth Day 2013

April 22 marks the 33 Earth Day in the United States.  The idea for a day dedicated to the environment originated 7 years earlier by Senator Gaylord Nelson.  He was concerned over the lack to awareness and regulations of the pollutants being released into our world. 

Now more than 30 years later, Earth Day and its organizers have increased public awareness of pollutants, identified and promoted “green” acts, have leveraged our schools and communities to enhance the knowledge and dedication of our youth to the cause, and countless other accomplishments. 

The Earth Day website (http://act.earthday.org/) is tracking personal pledges to commit “green” acts.  The pledges include recycling grocery bags, unplugging appliances, recycle paper and plastic, and buying more local food.  While each of these acts may seem futile on their own, the impact of the collected group across the globe will have a significant impact on our environment, especially over an extended period of time.  To date the website has over 1 billion personal pledges.  

What do you think of Earth Day?  What are some additional ways we can support Earth Day at school and in our community?  What are things you do at home?  Are there any additional activities you would be willing to commit to at home to support “green” living?

The Boston Marathon

On Monday the city of Boston celebrated Patriot’s Day with its annual running of the Boston Marathon.  The Boston Marathon originated in 1897.  In that year they had somewhere around 15 participants.  Since then the number of participants has swelled each year.  It has become one of the largest marathons in the world and is one of the six World Marathons Majors.

Boston has always considered its place in history with pride and honor.  The first battles of the Revolutionary War took place in Lexington and Concord, miles from Boston.  In order to commemorate the enormity and symbolism of the birth of the United States and its independence and liberty, Boston has designated the third Monday in April as Patriot’s Day.  As part of the city’s celebration, the annual Boston Marathon is run on the same day. 

I imagine it was difficult for the first planners of the race to envision what the race was going to become.  With 15 participants in the first race, they would have had no idea the numbers would swell to over 20,000 annual runners.  In 1996, its centennial race, the Boston Marathon set the world record for participants with 38,768 entrants, 36,748 runners and 35,868 finishers.  In 2013, there were 23,336.  Those runners came from 92 different countries and every state in the Union.  In addition they represented 35 official charities and numerous causes, including Sandy Hook Elementary.  Not to mention the 500,000 spectators who come to celebrate human achievement by cheering on the runners.

We all know how the race ended in 2013.  3 dead and 175 injured.  Unfortunately, senseless violence has become a part of our lives.  Whether it is terrorist actions using explosives or mass shootings in schools or other public forums, we have lost our innocence.   

It would be easy for us to live in fear or paranoia and become untrusting of our society.  That is the evil trap we have to avoid.  I believe we have to focus on the selfless acts of heroism and the countless stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things to help each other get through these times.  We have to continue to find the good in our neighbors and try to inspire the world through our Christ-like behaviors.  It is not easy. 

Do you think there has been an increase in the amount of violence in our society?  What do you think is causing people to turn to violent acts?  What do you think we can do as a society to decrease acts of violence?  What can we do for Boston to help the city and its people recover?

Guns in the United States

Today the United States Senate passed a procedural bill that will allow the Senate to start the process to consider additional gun control laws.  While it is a long way from approving any measures, it was a great step towards passing laws expanding background checks on gun purchases.

The issue of gun control took on a national priority in wake to the tragedy in Connecticut in December.  Government representatives and citizens from regions across America were horrified by the crazed actions of a man with a gun and his assault on innocent school children.  As with any inexplicable situation, people look for answers and action. 

Amongst other checks, the law under consideration would require background checks to be conducted in private sales of weapons including the transfer of weapons between family members.  Current law only requires background checks to be completed when a gun is bought from a Federal Firearms Dealer, this does not include private transactions.  According to CNN 80-90% of criminals obtained their weapon from a family member, acquaintance or from a street transaction. 

While many are in favor of tighter gun control and additional background checks, there are also many concerned additional background checks may lead to requirements that are too expansive and infringe on our constitutional right to bear arms provided by the second amendment.  They are also not convinced additional background checks would have prevented the tragedy at Sandy Hook.  The National Rifle Association last week proposed options they believe would make our schools safer.  In addition to other security checks and education, they were proposing the arming and training of teachers and other school personnel. 

What are your thoughts about gun control in the United States?  Even though schools have proven to be some of the safest places for children, when something like Sandy Hook happens, we evaluate potential changes, such as arming teachers.  Of the two proposals presented, which do you think would be more effective in reducing gun violence?