| Today is the day we celebrate Dr. King's birthday. Across the nation, many Americans are involved in community service projects. Indeed, President-Elect Obama participated in a community service project himself this morning. But that's not what I want to talk about.
I've had many conversations with folks on what the election of Barack Obama means. Some of those folks believe that the election of Barack Obama signifies the culmination of Dr. King's dream. They couldn't be further from the truth.
An election, as President-Elect Obama told the Washington Post, is not democracy. Nor is it a dream fulfilled. Dr. King's dream went far beyond that of hoping a black man or woman would one day be elected to the Presidency. His dream was that one day, race would not matter.
Sadly, it still does, especially right here in Louisiana. The other night, I was at Popeye's, and there was a middle-aged black woman waiting for her food when I got in line. Turns out that we ordered the same thing. So I had to wait for the chicken to be cooked as well. Despite ordering after her, the young black woman served me first.
The same thing happens all the time when it comes to jobs, housing and other service industries. It is especially blatant in our education system, and our criminal justice system. To achieve Dr. King's dream, we've a long way to go, baby.
That being said, the election of Barack Obama to the presidency is an important step ... but there is work yet to be done. And it all starts tomorrow at high noon. |
