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Monday, January 16, 2012

Milestone Monday: Would MLK, Jr. Use Social Media & What Advice Would He Give to Barak Obama?

Thought for the day: "One good deed leads to another." Unknown
"One good dream leads to another." DrB

Today as we celebrate the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr., I want to pay tribute to his "I Have a Dream," speech. His dream has inspired myriads of dreams for people of all races, religions, & cultures. I took a look at the famous speech again. He spoke to all humanity when he said,
              "When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village & every hamlet, from    every state & every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men & white men, Jews & Gentiles, Protestants & Catholics, will be able to join hands & sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"
       Much has changed in our country & in the world since that memorable speech.  The civil rights movement in the 60's had a strong influence on me. Growing up in Texas, I remember volunteering with a predecessor of Head Start in a black neighborhood. I taught kids ballet & tutored them in the three R's. My father was a lawyer & an activist who represented clients from all races & religions. I believe Pete Seager visited our home, although I was too young to remember the visit. When I rode on a bus from Texas to New York not long after desegregation, I was surprised to see that even though the signs were taken down, people were still segregated in the bus depots.
       Until four years ago, it was just a dream that an African-American would become president of the United States. Regardless of your political viewpoint, this is a victory for the American dream & for democracy. There are still battles to be fought to reach the "freedom for all" that MLK spoke of, but we are moving in the right direction & the doors he helped open have led to many other opportunities for people from all minorities. The importance of educational equality is paramount to enhancing creativity which will lead to finding new solutions for the problems that confront all human beings in our complex modern world.
       D.R.E.A.M. Inc., a non-profit organization based in NJ, is continuing the work towards Dr. King's dreams. Their name stands for Dispelling Realities & Empowering African-American Minds by teaching financial literacy. The founder of D.R.E.A.M., Inc., Orane Williams benefited from the doors opened to African-Americans at educational institutions. He was able to obtain a degree in Business Administration. However, even after completing his degree, he discovered he had never been taught financial literacy. He realized there was a void when it came to ‘financial literacy & understanding’ within the African-American community. He has dedicated his life to help fill that void. He founded D.R.E.A.M, Inc. & runs workshops around the country teaching financial literacy, college preparatory information, & post-college life information for urban youth from 13-25 years old.
       Orane & D.R.E.A.M., Inc. are included in & will benefit from my book. One good dream leads to another & another. How has Martin Luther King's Dream helped you in accomplishing your dreams?

2 comments:

Ruth Douthitt said...

I am glad that the USA did elect a black man as President....however, I feel he was judged by the color of his skin rather than the content of his character. Sad irony...

Barbara Lavi said...

I'm not sure what you mean? His character, in my opinion, is admirable as well as his accomplishments. He is an example of someone attaining the American dream despite prejudice.