I've taking the leisure to use this prominent day not to deteriorate or shame such greatness, but to shine a light upon a sensitive subject. I ask where do we really stand in America today? Martin Luther King day is now observed as a national Holiday, and i applaud those who fought for its establishment. However, I will not forget about mentioning the states whom choose not to observe it under it's title until 16 years later; nor the individuals who have bitter feelings about it's development entirely.
147 years later are we free or still sadly crippled by those same manacles which connect my generation to segregation? Are those chains of discrimination gone or have those chains modified into today's job markets and education? 147 years later we can drink freely from any public fountain, sit amongst our Caucasian peers and not be attacked. But can we attend any college we choose too, without governors, mayors, and wealthy businessmen as our reference; or have exceptional talents at some sport? So I ask this, where have we come as a country really?
Walk block to block and ask yourself does our black community look like its gotten any stronger since August of 1963. Don't allow the vacant houses and empty lots to frighten you. Although they look a lot like a still image of the aftermaths of the riots of 1968 and 1992, or even Hurricane Katrina. Our communities are as fragile as some third world countries. Is this Dr. Kings dream, or did he ask for us to be content with moving from one ghetto to a larger ghetto?
It's a given and obvious fact that the generations of today struggle with segregation and discrimination. However it has transformed into economic segregation and economic discrimination. Preventing children from families at and above the poverty line from obtaining a higher education and therefore not being qualified for many of the jobs available. Although the cycle and system of oppression has changed its results have not. Even more, the black community has allowed themselves to be exploited by the media which is dominated by yet again the Caucasian. Whom glorify the urban image and way of life. Such as mainstream "Gangster Rap" and shows like First 48 or even our own BETs show American Gangsta. With that being said, are we really living Dr. Kings dream? Yes we were all created equal, but do we all have the equal opportunity to pursue happiness?
