USA TODAY International Edition
How to advance the dream?
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The Rev. Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech had all the traditional fanfare of any presidential inaugural address. His formal message to the nation on Aug. 28, 1963, covered issues that we have worked on together and have improved.
Weather permitting, I’m driving to our nation’s capital Wednesday to hear President Obama speak to our country on the anniversary of King’s most revered speech.
As an African American, I am a beneficiary of King’s dream. Legalized segregation has not been a part of my life in the United States. I am proud to be an American. Wayne E. Williams
Camden, N. J.
Martin Luther King was one of America’s greatest men, who like Abraham Lincoln gave his life to the cause of freedom that is essential for any democracy.
Tragically, King can’t speak at the 50th anniversary of his “I Have a Dream” speech.
If he were here today, I think he might have said: “I have a reality.”
“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave- owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.”
Martin Luther King, Aug. 28, 1963
The reality he would have turned his attention to is reforming the black movement to include paying more attention to black- on- black crime. If I were black, I would be ashamed of many of my race who live self- serving lives at the expense of others.
Such people, of course, are very much a part of other races, too. There are bad people of all colors — none of whom should be tolerated by society.
I think the great Martin Luther King would agree.
Mel Maurer
Westlake, Ohio Do marches still make a difference? Absolutely! Progressive social change is a long process, but marches serve to bolster the courage and commitment of participants while showing their causes to the nation and the world.
Protest marches are but one part of the arduous work of bringing about needed changes.
Martin Luther King was quite right when he said: “There is nothing more powerful to dramatize a social evil than the tramp, tramp of marching feet.” Ed Tant
Athens, Ga.