What is your dream?

As our nation pauses to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the historic March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, I have reflected a great deal on how that event transformed not only my life, but the lives of millions of people around the world. \nGrowing up in the Delta region of Arkansas, an area characterized by abject poverty, political disenfranchisement and racism, the march on Washington was more than just an event, and Dr. King's stirring speech was more than rhetoric that made for a few good sound bytes on the 6 o'clock news. Dr. King's words helped me to raise my aspiration for overcoming poverty and inspired me to always challenge the status quo. \nThe 250,000 or so people who marched on the Capitol that hot and humid day in August 1963 looked like millions to me on my aunt's little black and white television set. I can still recall the sense of pride, excitement, empowerment and hope I felt as we watched and listened to Dr. King's prophetic words. Little did we know that this event would energize the Civil Rights Movement, spawn human rights and women's rights movements around the world and would increase the human appetite for freedom, democracy and justice. \nIn the intervening years since Dr. King's speech, I, along with others of my generation, have benefited tremendously from the opportunities afforded through increased access to education, open housing and the right to vote. While we have miles to go before we reach the destination of a colorblind society referenced in Dr. King's speech, I am confident that 40 years hence we will have made significant progress if those of us whose lives were touched directly by King's work would make sure that our dream is consistent with the values articulated in his "I Have a Dream" speech. \nAs we stand at the dawn of the 21st century, we must pursue this dream of democracy and equity with renewed commitment, energy and passion. As people who love justice, we must do more than talk; we must assume a posture of action by making sure that our public schools work, and every worker is paid a living wage, that every person has the opportunity to develop his or her full intellectual and personal potential.\nAs we pause to reflect on the state of America 40 years ago, as well as today, I challenge each of us to become agents of change. As agents of change we must not be content with the status quo. We must commit ourselves to making our homes, our churches, our neighborhoods and our places of work venues where hope reigns, opportunity flourishes and change that improves the human condition is a reality.\nTo be certain, Dr. King not only had a dream, he had a vision. He used his energy, ingenuity and courage to transform his dream and vision into a reality. A reality perhaps greater than even he could imagine. As great as Dr. King's dream and vision were, it is essential that we develop new ways of making old dreams reality -- for the old dreams are just as relevant, vibrant and necessary in 2003 as they were in 1963. By working together we can make peace, justice and equality a reality for people in nearby and far away places. \nWhat is your dream?