I Have a Dream, and a Hope

"Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

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."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; 'and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.'"
- excerpt from Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s I Have A Dream speech

Growing up in a small town, labeled with many labels and not allowed to forget that I came from a "salt and pepper" family, I have a great admiration for Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., his faith, and his work as a Civil Rights Leader and Reverend. Thanks to the efforts of Rev. King and all those involved in the Civil Rights Movement, all of my cousins were able to attend regular schools. Voting, state education, and employment opportunities opened up, and for some, hearts were opened as well.

However, we live in a sinful world, and racism still exists. Each of us is responsible to live, love, and dream a better dream, to make a better world.

I have a hope and a dream that someday labels won't matter to anyone, and that we will all love one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. I have a hope that someday all the children of the world will have loving homes. I have a hope that Christ will bring us peace in our hearts, and in our world.

"There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4:4-6

To read Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s full speech go to American Rhetoric: Martin Luther King, Jr.

And for the She Sparkles Memory Verse Challenge, Verse B is: "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved . . ." Acts 16:31