On anniversary of King's speech, we must remember November

George Trotter and Kathleen Johnson have never met. They both live in Anne Arundel County. One lives in Laurel and the other lives in Arnold. Both lives would be changed forever after hearing a preacher by the name of Martin Luther

King, Jr. tell America about a dream he had. The year was 1963. The month was

August. The numerical date was the 28th. The occasion was the 1963 March on Washington.

When they left their respective homes on that sweltering August day, neither knew that they had a date with destiny. Fifty-five years ago today, the civil rights movement in the 1960s would change America forever. Many reading this column will find it difficult to believe that an apartheid Anne Arundel County existed. African-Americans were denied employment opportunities, housing, and that racism was the order of the day.

Local Annapolis movie theatres like the Circle, Capitol and Playhouse didn't allow black people to patronize them. African-Americans were required to attend the Star theatre on Northwest Street.

Private clubs excluded people on the basis of their race and color. Local retail stores wouldn't allow black people to try on shoes, hats or clothing. If you lived in Anne Arundel County and you were an African-American, you were required to attend Wiley H. Bates High School, the only high school that blacks could attend under segregation.

I lived in Davidsonville and remember having to attend Carver Elementary School in Gambrills because we were not allowed to attend the white elementary schools. When my family moved to Annapolis, I saw first-hand signs that read “Colored” and “White.” In downtown Annapolis, there once was a gas station that had those demeaning signs. They were other signs too, signs that read, “No Jews, Negroes or dogs.” Kathleen Johnson was profiled in

on the 50th anniversary of the march, she was quoted as saying, “When Dr. King was speaking, you could hear a pin drop.” Today, the fifty-fifth anniversary of the March on Washington a lot has changed and yet there is so much more that needs to change.

Racism continues to play a pivotal role in the lives of many Americans. Whether it is AfricanAmericans being arrested at a Starbucks or denied employment because they have "black sounding names," race continues to be a dominant factor in the body politic of America.

George Trotter was taken to Washington on that fateful day by the Rev. John T. Chambers Sr. I remember George, sharing with the audience on the 50th anniversary how he and Phil Chambers another participant felt that day, as he looked over an audience of thousands of people. He knew that this was watching history in the making.

Across from the Arundel Center is the Civil Rights Foot Soldiers Memorial, which has inscribed the names of many Anne Arundel County residents who attended that march 55 years ago today. Robert P. Duckworth, clerk of the court is listed as is the late Mayor Roger W. Moyer Sr., Morris H. Blum, Hannah Chambers, Judge Mary Sellman Jackson, Trudi McGowan, and literally hundreds or more.

When Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have A Dream” speech, sitting behind him is the Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. As Dr. King begin speaking, you can hear Mahalia Jackson shouting and exhorting him to, "tell them about the dream".

At one point, he leaves his written text and extemporaneously tells America about his dream. This incredible speech is captured and is considered one of the greatest speeches ever delivered. On that day, he captured the hopes and dreams of millions of Americans.

In November, voters must remember that dreams like nightmares not only can happen while you are sleeping, they can also occur while you are voting. In November we must vote for our hopes and dreams, not the nightmare of going backward.