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Monday, January 21, 2008

Dream come true... Not quite yet

Jami Floyd
"In Session" Anchor/360 Contributor

Today we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and this year also marks the 40th anniversary of his death. Dr. King had a dream, but has it been realized?

Well, we have the right to vote. And soon a black man may very well be president

But we also have a country that is warehousing black men in prisons with 200,000 black college-age men behind bars. We still have lynchings in this country.

And we have schools that are still segregated despite the law that they not be - schools so poorly funded we're leaving generations of children behind.

Change has come, but it comes slowly. After all, Dr. King was shot and killed not all that long ago for fighting for that change.

I still believe little children will some day live in a world where they are judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

But "some day" is not here. Not yet. And that is the Last Word.

Check out more Jami Floyd blogs on 'In Session'

Posted By CNNBLOG: 1:04 PM ET
5 Comments

Jami,
I have to agree with you here. I think while we have come a good way from racism and how it was when King was alive we still are far from it being totally eradicated. I think it still exist underneath the surface for some people. It is just hidden well. But now that there is a chance for a black man to be president it seems to be bubbling back up to the surface.

Actually I hope that when people vote that they are looking at the issues and what that candidate can do and not at their skin color. But I know that is alot to ask even now.

Honestly I think there will always be some sort of racism unfortunately. Until we can do away with these radical hate groups it always will because they teach their children that mess and it keeps going on and on for generations. And some people may not even think that they are but they unknowingly say and do things that are racist and pass that on to kids. There has to be more done to get kids at a young age and teach them that someones skin color or nationality means nothing. It's about who they are inside that counts.

Cynthia, Covington, Ga.

Posted By

Cindy : 1:57 PM ET

Good Afternoon Jami & everyone,

Very well said blog post. It is sad to see that often times Dr. King's dream doesn't seem like it has accomplished what it has/had the ability and opportunity to accomplish. He had a dream of an unified nation not separated because of skin color or even by who they are personally, but by their character. And I think by that example we have failed.

You would think being the one of the most powerful countries in the world that we would have made larger strides than this, but I guess it goes to show you what one man can do when he has the power to change a nation.

Have A Great Day Everyone.

David Bryant
23
South Carolina

Posted By

dbryant2008 : 2:39 PM ET

Dr. King’s dream that Black people would achieve equality in America has not been realized. And the ongoing hatred of and anti-Black racism against Black people was recently demonstrated by lynching nooses being hung on trees, trucks and on a Black female college professor’s door are clear indicators that equality for Black people is nowhere near becoming a reality.
As for Obama being “a black man that may very well be president,” that is unlikely to happen as long as Black women and Southern Blacks can’t decide whether they should vote for a Black man or a White woman. Race trumps gender every time – race is an identifier whether female or male, and race is the first thing people see.

Posted By

Democracy : 3:07 PM ET

As long as people vote for Hillary becasue she is a woman, or Obama because he is Black, or don't vote for Romney because he is a Mormom or vote for Huckster because he is a Baptist, America will continue to be racist and segrigated. Americans need to vote for someone who is qualified, who is honest and sincere, who is going to provide real solutions to real problems. Think before you vote.

Posted By

BlkJeans : 3:11 PM ET

When every kid in this country is born with the same opportunities to achieve the same dreams, is provided the same level of quality public education as the wealthiest private school kids from pre-k through grad or professional school, has the same level of healthcare from conception to death as the wealthiest in America, doesn't have to worry about gangs or drugs in his or her neighborhood or school or playground, has equal opportunities to live in any neighborhood regardless of what other private landowners say or do, and has the same job opportunities at the same pay level regardless of race or gender so that he or she doesn't have to be enslaved by welfare and other government handouts because it's the only way to survive, then America will be equal. But the sad truth is, I don't think we want true equality because then it would mean someone has to give up power and control over others and we have to admit what the Bible says, that God created everyone in His image, no one is greater than the other, and we all are deserving of good things. It would mean everyone is worthy of respect because they are and not because of what or who they know. It would mean every American really is free to achieve their dreams without obstacles.

Posted By

Tammy, Berwick, LA : 4:08 PM ET

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