Don't give up the dream

Monday may be the official celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but Jan. 15 marked the 96th anniversary of his birth. American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. during the March On Washington at the Lincoln Memorial, Aug. 28, 1963, where he gave his "I Have A Dream" speech. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images/TNS) Though King wasn't yet 40 years old when he was gunned down in Memphis, he and others of his era inspired generations to continue the fight for civil rights, for change, for us to be the best version of ourselves. And each year, on the official holiday honoring his legacy, we are reminded of how very far we have to go. The National Constitution Center says Martin Luther King Jr. Day "honors the total legacy of King; focuses on the issue of civil rights; highlights the use of nonviolence to promote change; and calls people into public service." When we think of King, we think of his dreams. But before he spoke in front of the Lincoln Memorial about his dreams, King talked about all men having been guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. "It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned," he said, way back in 1963. "Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children," he said. ALL of them. How shameful to think King believed then those to whom he was speaking stood "on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice." But movement to step across that threshold has been painfully slow. Despite King's plea that "as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back," awkward attempts have led to fierce backlash — even movement backward. We can't give up. King reminded us that the American dream was to "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." All men. All human beings. Everyone. "I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together," King shouted. King wasn't perfect. We're not perfect either. But though his march was cut short, ours must go on. For many, this country is, still, the Promised Land. Let's use this MLK Jr. Day to remember it is up to us, now, to make sure it is truly so. For everyone.