« Excerpt from Martin Luther King Free at Last Speech | Main | A New Day? »
January 15, 2007
I have a dream....
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed. We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal... I have a dream that our little four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today...." Martin Luther King was a man of vision, a man of hope, a man of courage.
In 2006 we saw significant changes in the political climate in the United States. We saw significant changes in the political climate in Chattanooga and Hamilton County Tennessee. In effectuating this change, black voters came together, showing strength by exercising their right to vote. Blacks banded together to elect new leaders to our County Commission, to reelect our Governor, and giving Harold Ford Jr. over 59% of the vote in the City of Chattanooga—defeating Senator Bob Corker in his home town. The unity demonstrated by the black community was strong, and this vote showed that significant changes can be made if we come together to exercise our free-speech rights--by voting.
Today is Martin Luther King Day, and we celebrate the birth of one of the greatest civil rights leaders in history. Martin Luther King Jr. not only stood for the rights of all minorities, he stood for the rights of all people. Martin Luther King understood the power of free-speech; he used his free speech rights to advance equality, and to stand up for the rights of all people. He was a pioneer believing in equality for all human beings.
In honor of Martin Luther King's birthday, I am proud to say that I believe in the vote, and that the people of the City of Chattanooga represent the values of Hamilton County, of Tennessee, and of this great nation. The power of the vote demonstrated in 2006 represent the values of Martin Luther King, and his message-there must be equality for all. So, in celebration of Martin Luther King's birthday, I want to say that I have a dream...A dream where all votes, all voices, and all people, regardless of race or creed, will be heard.
Today I hope we can share in the dream….
Stuart James
| By sjames | 08:48 AM