Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the greatest individuals to grace the world; he left behind a legacy that still stands over 50 years later. His “I have a dream speech” laid a foundation that altered the fabric of society around the world.  

With the highly-charged racial tension in today’s society, I feel we can all benefit from taking a few minutes out of our day to remember the dream Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. left behind for us to carry forward.  

Why was Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. at the nation’s capital that day, August 28, 1963? He was there to remind everyone of the democracy and the principles America was founded on. The American Dream is that anyone, regardless of race or religion, can obtain success without the fear of being mistreated or interfered with as long as you put in the work. Equality was not a luxury everyone was afforded during the 1960s. The public practice of segregation was proof of that fact. Instead of focusing on how people of color were being treated unjustly and the continuous struggles they had to face on a daily basis, Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. chose to call the nation to action. He chose to call everyone to peace and to stand together to bring this nation to the heights it is capable of. ” …and if America is to be a great nation, this must become true. And so let freedom ring…” 

America is a great nation, but the sad reality is we still face a lot of the same issues that were holding the nation back when the “I have a dream” speech was given 59 years ago. This past election was not our finest moment as a nation. 2021 was a hard year for the nation as a whole, no matter who you were. The election seemed to further divide the nation on top of dealing with COVID. One thing I think all of us millennials pride ourselves on is our thirst for information as well as the ability to make our own decisions, regardless of what others before us have done. A lot of our family members may be on one side or the other when it comes to the issue of race, but our generation has come a lot farther than that of our parents and grandparents. Most of us judge others based on their actions, and not their color; we are not afraid to correct and or educate those who do choose to judge based on prejudice.  

The fact of the matter is, that we (millennials) are changing the nation, and we are in charge of the future. We are becoming more and more skilled in our fields of work, changing the way society views controversial topics, and ultimately the direction of this country as a whole. Let’s not forget to carry on the legacy of Doctor Martin Luther King Jr.; let us all help to not only bring this nation together but to its full potential.  

“…I have a dream…one day…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…” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Below is a link where you can find the audio to the speech as well as the written version. I encourage everyone to read or listen to the speech. It will only take 2-3 minutes out of your day, and you will not be disappointed. 

Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that. – Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. 

Let’s choose to walk with love friends,