I Have a Dream

I grew up in a very small community. A community of 99% white people. Racism and racial issues was never something that I thought about. I do not remember learning about it in school, maybe I did but I do not remember. Quite often growing up I heard the *N* word. Jokes, nasty remarks. While I didn't agree, I never gave much thought to how wrong that was. Most of my family was prejudice against people of other races. I guess because I was never around other races I didn't give it much thought. Now, all these years later I am married to a man who is black. I love him dearly. My step-daughters are wonderful, wonderful young ladies that I have the privilege of knowing. My friends and my extended family who are a mixture of all skin colors are people that I am blessed to have them in my life.
I can't imagine teaching a child hatred. I can't imagine a family where derogatory words are the norm. Children should be taught to judge people by their character rather than by the color of their skin.

Yesterday was the day to honor Martin Luther King Jr. It is very sad to me that I have never heard nor read his 'I Have a Dream' speech, until tonight. Tonight I read it and I listened to it. Wow.

If he were still living I wonder how he would feel to know that what he was fighting for has come a long way. I wonder how he would feel to know that it hasn't ended. My husband is a black man. I still see prejudice against his skin color today.

The Civil Rights Movement....what an amazing time to live! By amazing, I mean these men and women helped change history. I would like to think that if I had lived during that time I would be fighting along side them for the rights of all men, regardless of skin color. I can imagine standing there in that crowd and hearing Martin Luther King Jr give his speech and the hope that he gave through his words. He was giving these people who had been oppressed for so many years a glimmer of hope. A glimmer of a better life for their children and their grandchildren. I can just imagine the excitement in the air listening to this man talk about things that none of them have seen or experienced.

I hope that one day I am able to witness his dreams fulfilled. I hope that one day people aren't judged by their skin color or anything else. Like Martin Luther King Jr's speech....I really hope that one day people will be judged only by their character.