Still Dreaming

Dr. Martin Luther King spoke for everyone regardless of party affiliation, race, religion or job. However, he was singular in his focus for "human rights". How would he evaluate his dream today? He spoke of the growing gap between rich and poor, of the economic forces that were doing harm to America, the misuse of funds for war over people, and the demonization of progressive social reform.

Civil rights was an issue of human and labor rights. King stated: "What does it profit a man to be able to eat at an integrated lunch counter if he doesn't earn enough money to buy a hamburger and a cup of coffee?"  In his time, the jobs migration to other countries while divestment in American workers had just begun. Our military was creating jobs but creating problems in Asia and Latin America that would continue to escalate global discontent.

He spoke in a way and in a language that was elegant but death-defying and it got him accused of being a socialist and communist but he was only speaking the truth and saying many things others were afraid to say. In today's social and mobile environment, his words would have been amplified and heard by many others. Perhaps he would have been called a whistleblower instead of being used as a dog whistle. His speeches would have been broadcast on the internet before the media could splice them and ratchet them up or down depending on audience.

Without the internet, he and his supporters were compelled to march. Marching was the only visible way to speak and to be heard. Like the occupiers, corporate protestors, immigrants, peace lovers and wage protestors of today, they could hide no longer for their beliefs. The need to be visible and vocal eventually got him killed, but he'd probably say he died dreaming. 

He was killed after just speaking about how important the working poor were to America and to the rest of the workforce. The importance of people who work at full-time jobs for part-time wages. Today, for what few advances have been made in dignity, respect and livelihoods, he'd be disappointed in the backwards march of a do nothing Congress, an unhealthy regard for the worker and the misuse of the filibuster.

While his light was extinguished well before his job was done, he reminds us thru our memories, of what we should be marching and shouting about when it seems no one is listening and no one in management really cares.