We are now approaching Martin Luther King?Jr. Day. It has become a federal holiday in the US. However, too many people have lost sight of the deeper meaning. In truly myopic fashion, racism, discrimination, misogyny, poverty, greed, and general apathy are as prevalent as they ever were. His most famous and one of his most moving speeches is the “I have a dream speech.” It is a speech that, beyond a shadow of a doubt, changed the course of our relatively young nation’s history.
However, there is still much to be done to ensure that we as nation move in the right direction morally. We have a long way to go before we live up to the promissory note our founding fathers left. While the “bank of justice does not have insufficient funds,” as Dr. King put it, there is much work involved in cashing the check. Sadly, Dr. King had passed too soon. It is now up to us to take up his mantle and finish what he had started.
Furthermore, as an American veteran who values justice, freedom, and equality for everyone, I have a dream of my own. I have a dream that one day parents will unconditionally love their LGBT children as they would unconditionally love their heterosexual cis gender children and that parents, school officials, and other caregivers will see LGBT children deserving of equal love, support, respect, and limitlessness opportunity to flourish as who they truly are. I have a dream that LGBT adults be guaranteed the right to marry who they love, raise children, and not fear any form of discrimination.
I have a dream that the physically and developmentally disabled, chronically ill, and elderly receive all the accommodation they need to live happy healthy lives.
I have a dream that police officers will no longer commit acts of brutality and go on to serve and protect everyone equally and safely. I have a dream that non-violent offenders and people struggling with addiction or mental illness will no longer have to spend a single day behind bars. I have a dream that our justice system puts justice above all else.
I have a dream that hunger and homelessness will be just a bad memory. I have a dream that education, decent jobs, quality healthcare and housing be readily available to all. I have a dream that all workers skilled or not have a right to a living wage.
I have a dream that our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen are never called away from their families and put in harm’s way again unless it is absolutely crucial to the safety of our nation. I have a dream that my fellow veterans and returning service members are provided limitless support and assistance to ease their transition home.
I have a dream that women will be treated equally in school and in the workplace. I have a dream that women are guaranteed full freedom over their own bodies. I have a dream that all sexual assault and rape regardless of where, when, and who it happens to are taken seriously and the victim is always put first. I have a dream that women will be able to fully embrace their own bodies and personal style without fear of shame. I have a dream that all women will enjoy the right to walk the streets with no fear of harassment. I have a dream that only yes will mean yes.
I have a dream that a person’s color, ethnicity, gender identity, orientation, ability, age, and/or income shall have no bearing on their value as people and their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I hope all of you have a similar dream. I hope all of you wish to make it a reality. G-d Bless Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. #IHaveADream #MLKDay
