Dream Fulfilled?

I knew it, at some point a few "brilliant" pundits would be falling all over themselves and each other to sanitize the vision of America's greatest prophet and arguably its greatest citizen. I was hoping that some one would correct them. Some responsible voice of reason, be they Black, White or otherwise (especially Black) would rise up to correct them of this egregious error. True it is the tradition of most when enthralled in the excitement of such a momentous occasion, and indeed November 4, 2008 was such an occasion, to want to find that right word or phrase to crystallize it, so that future generations have a literal grasp of its importance to the time from which it derives. If anyone is convinced that the magnitude of Dr. King's Dream has been realized in one historic election, then it is evident that you neither understand the Dream nor the Dreamer.



"Dream Fulfilled" the apparent consensus of every media outlet known to man. "Dream Fulfilled" somehow defines this most poignant moment in American history. Yet, knowing the Dreamer as we do, can anyone with a clear conscience believe that his Dream is indeed fulfilled? No one in their right mind will deny the dynamic occurrence we have been blessed to witness, no matter how you voted. The election of Barack Obama, son of a White American woman and an African (Kenyan) father, as the 44th President of the United States of America presents a plethora of dynamics we have yet to even examine. Truly it is the most extraordinary moment I've ever witnessed as an American citizen. However, knowing the Dreamer as I do, through his bold life, timeless speeches, writings and teachings it is without a doubt a fallacy to believe that the Dream has been fulfilled, in a mere moment.



First of all, the Dream much like the man was multidimensional, but, firmly anchored in the principle of love. It was never as black and white as we'd like to reduce it to be. The Dream and its Dreamer extended beyond historical footnotes, Civil Rights legislation and Noble prizes. In fact, the great Dreamer once uttered in his hauntingly prophetic speech of 1968, famously entitled Drum Major for Peace, that he didn't even care to be remembered for his many accolades. Instead, the Dreamer confessed, he would much rather be remembered as an authentic Christian. One who tried to clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, feed the hungry, advocate for peace and justice. "An injustice anywhere is a threat to injustice everywhere" the Dreamer once bellowed. One can only imagine the Dreamer's dismay at the current state of affairs here and abroad. You see, his was a Dream that in its purest sense was rooted in the righteous longings of the human spirit, "love thy neighbor, as you love yourself." This is why it was no strange thing, despite the ire of friend and foe alike, for the Dream to expand to Vietnam and the war on poverty.


I haven't a doubt in my soul that the Dreamer, had he lived to see November 4, 2008, would be fantastically overwhelmed at the view from the mountain top. However, knowing him as we do, once the ceremonies and adulation would fade away, he would be back down in the valley (and surely in our new President's ear), fighting for the downtrodden and giving voice to those we oft ignore, no doubt railing against an endless number of issues that inevitably plague everyone of us. The Dream, like any, though it might have its milestones is still unfolding. We've come a very long way, but, in respect to the Dream, the Dreamer and our own conscience, no one should think we have fulfilled anything, as of yet.



Copyright JLI 2008