MY DREAM FOR 2017

“My Dream for 2017 is Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream from 1963:

“”I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and 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 my four little 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… And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.””

These words are from MLK’s impassioned “”I Have a Dream”” speech, delivered during the Million Man March for civil rights so many years ago. But they could have been written today.

Has nothing changed?

I have been silent here for a while now as life and death have played out in my life and in our nation the past few months. I have been shattered by this election process and surprised at the level of fear and hate in this country.

It feels as if a dream has died, a dream in which I believed we were beyond those battles. I truly thought we’d achieved the equality that heroes like Martin Luther King fought and died for. After all, his “I Have a Dream” speech was delivered in 1963!

But now, 44 years later, many of us are shocked to discover that MLK’s dream never was truly realized. It just had a nice sugar coating over the top which lulled a lot of us into an unaware coma. I did not know the magnitude of the battles that people in this nation continue to fight every day. I am ashamed that by not knowing, I actually was part of the problem.

Nov. 8 was my reality wake up call. I have been grieving and silent ever since, as I stepped back to educate myself on issues and tried to sort out this new world order. But my silence will not change anything. Being safe in my cocoon will not change anything. And change is what we need.

So as we start this New Year, it’s time for me to stand up and speak out. This is absolutely not about being a Democrat or a Republican, nor is it about Clinton vs. Trump. It is about being a good human being, and it’s about doing the right thing. So… a warning. Conversation is welcome, but if you want to hate bash or spread false news here, you will be banned.

I have always tried to be a positive light, focusing on goodness in people. I believe that our differences are what make us stronger as a nation and a planet, and I know that millions of us feel the same way. But this election has forced me to open my Pollyanna eyes and see the very real hatred, bigotry, xenophobia and racism that so many in this country are up against daily. I honestly had no idea these battles were still being fought! How could I have been so blind, and how could I not have been helping them?!!!

My heart breaks as I cop to my white person’s entitlement and ignorance. I still don’t even know yet how much I don’t know. I am ashamed I was so blithely unaware, and I apologize to those of you who were fighting battles alone. All I can do now is promise that I will stand with you going forward. Please help me understand your reality so I will learn how to best support you. I pledge to listen more than talk and to educate myself so I can help create positive change.

We cannot fix something until we realize it’s broken. Change does not happen without a wakeup call, and nothing will change without action. If you were asleep, as I was, let’s be grateful we are alert now. They have awakened a sleeping giant. There are legions of unbelievably good-hearted people in this country – both Democrat and Republican – and if we come together we can move mountains.

No matter who you voted for, this is now about doing the right thing for humanity. If you too are worried about this country and this planet, please join me and get involved. Use your voice and be an Influencer. Speak out for equality, stand up against bullies, hold your politicians accountable, maybe run for office yourself. Be a safe place for those who need it, because we will all need it at some point or another.

Let’s work together to create a new year of hope, peace, kindness, respect, and love for each and every one of us… and not stop until it finally and truly happens.

Your dream was not in vain, Rev. King. Your words ring even more true today. We will not give up.

Let freedom ring!

God bless,
Barbara xo

”