"A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house." --- Matthew 13:57
In a few days there will be flow of speeches and reflections about the legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as national monument is dedicated in his honor. There are many people who are offering goodly words now but during the times of his sufferings, there was a deafening silence. It's sad but often true many people choose not to step up in courage in the face of adversity themselves, but also offer no support to those who are willing to make the sacrifice. Betrayal.
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
There are some people who see the 'pomp and circumstance' but understand not the endured sufferings often from misunderstandings even among individuals close to him. How difficult it is to communicate understanding of your dream, indeed a vision to others who seemingly have different priorities! Through the years, the Dream has been adulterated and the Vision marred by human bitterness and wanton biases.
"Cowardice asks the question - is it safe? Expediency asks the question - is it politic? Vanity asks the question - is it popular? But conscience asks the question - is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular; but one must take it because it is right.
The Dream was about more than racial equality. It's a vision that seeks to uphold the dignity of all humans -- whether you are a sanitation engineer (garbage man) or a doctor; live in rural Tennessee or urban Los Angeles; Democrat or Republican.
"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."
The Dream follows the Productivity Principle.
"Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land."
The Dream provides Hope and Assurance.
"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 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!
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