“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.”
These words were spoken exactly 50 years ago today by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the legendary March on Washington – a demonstration that remains in American history as, indeed, one of the most inspiring and effective sociopolitical gatherings. It is with pride that Americans can look back on MLK’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech and see that many of his dreams have been fulfilled. The brutal and violent struggle for basic racial equality is, in many significant ways, over. As marchers gather in DC on the 50th anniversary, there is reason to celebrate as well as commemorate.
Photo Credit: ABC
In a way that is both powerful and poignant, the 50th anniversary of the March seems to come at a moment in history that we need to be reminded the most. In the U.S., freedom and equality still seem like faraway achievements, with economic disparity, gun violence, and imperfect justice systems still failing our nation. Many other minority groups besides African Americans, including women, Latinos, Asian Americans, and the LGBT community, are still excluded from the “dream” as well.
Moreover, MLK’s declaration in his “Dream” speech that “their destiny is tied up with our destiny…..that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom” no longer just applies to the people, groups, schools, and restaurants in America: the demand for universal freedom must transcend physical and national borders to encompass global liberty. The violence in Syria. The global human-trafficking industry. The LRA conflict in East and central Africa. All of these and more are still awaiting a great demonstration for freedom.
Marchers commemorated the 50th anniversary with a demonstration on Saturday. Photo Credit: MSNBC
The previous generation made incredible leaps and bounds along the narrow road towards freedom, and now it’s time for our generation to finish the race. We cannot afford to be complacent in thinking our work has already been done for us. MLK may have been right in saying the March on Washington was the greatest demonstration in American history, but the greatest demonstration for freedom in human history has yet to be.
Let’s get started. Visit zerolra.invisiblechildren.com to start fundraising for on-the-ground programs that will end the LRA conflict once and for all.
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