For the past week, I have been listening to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. speech, “I have a dream.” This fifteen minute speech is brilliantly crafted, spoken with passion, powerful words, and the persuasive call that sparked a revolution in America. I have a great respect and appreciation for men and women who are great visionaries; who use the power of words to inspire, bring hope and lead a revolution.
God used Rev. Martin Luther King to change a nation.
August 28th, 1963. Less than fifty years ago these words rang from our nation’s capital. It was a demonstration march for freedom. A demonstration that changed the fabric of our nation and a culture that was removed from it’s founding truths.
Rev. King used a humble approach in this infamous speech. He speaks words of encouragement: “Let us not wallow in the valley of despair…” Calling those affected by hurts and injustice to not hold onto bitterness or live in despair. Turn to God in your time of need. He tells those who were there for the demonstration to “go back” to your state and your position in society…not with despair, but with hope that things will change for the better.
He calls America back to its roots: “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…’” Powerful. Persuasive.
One line that stands out to me the most is during the “I have a dream” part where he says: “I have a dream, that one day my four little children will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
Character is word in this society that has very little value. We use it in the sense of a TV show, or cartoon character. But what about the moral and ethical quality of an individual? Qualities of honesty, courage, or integrity…these are words of character that should be frontrunners when we look at an individual. Rev. King is correct that we should not judge someone because of their skin color, but are we judging people on character…or other shallow values? Wealth. Status in society. Clothing they wear. Car they drive. House they live in. Character ought to be a high value in our assessment of an individual.
Today, I am thankful for Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. God used him to spark a revolution, to change the fabric of society.
To listen/watch the entire fifteen minutes of this speech, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smEqnnklfYs