I have a dream too....a dream of respect!

Today was Martin Luther King Jr Day... a day to remember the man who had a dream.  Not just the man... but the dream... and those who fought for it.  I don't celebrate men... but I do celebrate the thought that we should all be treated equal.  I do celebrate the idea that we don't want "to be judged by the color of our skin but by the content of our character".  When days like this come around... at times... it serves its purpose, to raise awareness in social communities and serves as a reminder of those who came before us who fought long and hard to gain the rights and civil liberties that we have.  I was disappointed in what else this day brought about... the jokes from those who do not share the same respect for those who were put in jail, sprayed with fire hoses, attacked by police dogs, or even beaten because they fought for equality.  I have a sense of humor and usually enjoy a good joke, but not today... not about this.  For those who did not live to see the day when we didn't have to worry about what seat we were on in the bus.... or who did not see the day when we could go into any store we wanted... or those who did not see the day when we as minorities could even serve in the highest government office of president... those people... of all colors who marched, and sat, and loved "the dream" enough to put their lives on the line... they deserve more respect than jokes.  Its great that it is a government holiday and many people are off of work to "celebrate" but I think what they fought for is the right to work... the right to get out and do the things that they were held back from for so long.  So if you had to work today, don't complain.... someone was beaten to allow you to have that job regardless of the color of your skin.  If you went shopping today, remember that someone may have been put in jail unjustly for giving you the right to enter that store.  No matter what you did today, someone else paid the price so that you can have the right... so don't limit that to today, but remember all year long, and have a little respect for those who are remembering the dream. Appreciate what you have, and do something with it.  Make that dream worth it for those who didn't live to see it! Martin Luther King Jr had a dream, and I share it.  Those who worked with him to get us to where we are did not do it so that we could sit around and crack jokes, but I know that they would want to know that we are taking what they did and going forward to do bigger things!  They took the first step... its up to us to take the next!

"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." ~Martin Luther King Jr  :  What are you doing to make this happen?