Dr. King Had a Dream

Next Monday is the 60^th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, which he presented on August 28, 1963. Two months before then, he was the commencement speaker at my City College graduation. Five years after presenting this speech, he was murdered at age 39. And 45 years after that murder, a Black American was inaugurated for his second term as president of the United States.

Some things did change in the past 60 years, but also some things did not, as we can see with the meanness of many of our elected representatives and other leaders who seem to have a disdain for the citizens they swore an oath to God to protect as well as a deepening despair of spirit by many in our country.

Sixty years ago, I also had a dream, and looking back, I feel I’ve accomplished much more than my dreams had me down for. I am in a good place with a wife my love grows daily for and a wonderful family and great friends. I still have a dream and look forward to many more tomorrows when I could do even more.

One thing I figured out is that tomorrow always comes, and memories are nice, but they do not overtake the anticipation of tomorrow’s accomplishments. We cannot sit still or remain on the sidelines or wait for someone else to fix the problems, whatever you think they might be. Each of us has a responsibility to do the best we can at every opportunity. We also need to make efforts to avoid adding to the problems and anger. We also need to understand that someone else’s individual characteristics are no one else’s concern, and they should be left alone. No one else’s personal identity, as long as it is law-abiding, has an effect on anyone else. Perhaps you might not like something about someone, but as long as it doesn’t affect anything you are doing or can or will do, then it should not be obsessed over, and we should leave them to live their life in peace.

Another thing I learned from the passing of time is that interests change. I believe my interests have broadened, and I seem to be interested in many more things. This became evident recently when my wife remarked about all the books I checked out of the library. I had bunches on various topics I hadn’t shown earlier interest in. I have always been going to the local public library. I take out the new novels I want to read but need to wait until the initial rush ends to find them on the shelf. I could reserve them but choose to wait this way. I also started re-reading some books I previously read years ago and find them just as absorbing. I also search the fiction shelves and check out novels that seem interesting, and that allows me to enjoy meeting new authors.

Another thing I do is go through the new books section, and that is where I find books that pique my interest and take them out. It is an eclectic selection, and that is what introduces me to new interests. The books are free. I can skim them or read them completely or, after a quick look, decide that it is not for me. I also look over the new biography section and pick out books there. But in any event, I find new interests that way. I could have a dozen or more books checked out at any one time, but if they are something I do not like, I return them right away. While in the library, I also look over some magazines I do not subscribe to.

I also introduced myself to audiobooks and add them to the Teaching Company courses I download and listen to while driving. There are other things I do to learn new things, but my point is that learning and growth should be continuous and it is not too difficult.

Dr. King had a dream, and so did I, and 60 years later, we can feel good about the accomplishments that might not have occurred had we not had that dream and can look forward to even greater accomplishments. Here is my post on the 50^th anniversary of Dr. King’s speech.