In 2014, “I [still] have a dream.” (Yes, I know this is 2013. I’m talking about the year after…or the year after the year after…)
I have a dream that United States of America — its government and people — would reject the global politics of war. In the sixties, it was Vietnam. In the seventies, it was Bangladesh and Chile. In the eighties, it was Iran. In the nineties, it was Iraq. In 2003 and years after, it was Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, we’re ready to wage another war, this time on Syria.
I have a dream that the ordinary, hardworking men and women of America — black, white, brown, olive or yellow — would come together and live together in harmony, and know one another. New immigrants from China, Korea, India, Mexico, Guatemala and Haiti would be embraced by old immigrants from Italy, Germany, Russia, Israel and Ireland.
I have a dream that American government and media would teach our children history of the makers of our country: the millions of men and women who worked through centuries to build the farms and factories, roads and river dams, buildings and bridges, parks and libraries, schools and hospitals. History books would talk about not just the rich and famous and elite, but about the ninety-nine percent: the real heartbeat of America.
I have a dream that America would preach and practice exactly the same thing across the world, and not follow one set of standards for here and another everywhere else. American foreign policy would respect rights and freedom of people and places — equally — even for countries that do not like us or follow our lifestyles.
I have a dream that the rich-poor disparity in America would be brought back to the minimal we saw in the Golden Age of American Capitalism between 1940 and 1980 when the middle class was happy, peoples’ productivity and wages went up hand in hand, the American Dream of upward social mobility was a reality, and when organized labor movement was the strongest.
I have a dream that American mass media would withdraw from manufacturing consent in favor of the one percent ruling-class people in power, and deliver news based on honesty, balance and objectivity — for the mass.
I have a dream that we can show the promise of the Promised Land to our children — in our lifetime.
Amen.
An humble follower of Dr. King’s teaching,
Partha
Brooklyn, New York
Humanity College 