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The dream was limpid. Dr. King had imagined a Western world where people treated each other with dignity. He saw a place where the descendants of slave keepers would esteem the African heritage as high as any other in the hemisphere. Dr. King dreamt of a world where qualified women and men realize substantive opportunities without prior consideration of their race. He wanted a world where the law was unbiased, nor a racist court system that threw more black men into prison. He spoke up for civil rights so that racists do not continue to discriminate against Africans regardless of stereotype.

How inglorious was it that thousands of Africans had to protest for equality and not get it? How pompous a race that denies their fellow citizens of the same liberties..?”

Alternatively, the Caucasian women lured the young African women with feminism. When black women joined the feminist movement, they turn against the black man who they once supported during the civil rights movement. How inglorious was it that thousands of Africans had to protest for equality and not get it? How pompous a race that denies their fellow citizens of the same liberties and opportunities they appreciate? Had they not invented electricity and the automobile for everyone? Did they not construct skyscrapers, telephones, and airplanes for all people? Alas, did the founding fathers of this nation not establish it as a free country? Did President Abraham Lincoln not declare the Emancipation Proclamation Act in sincerity and honesty? Are Africans inferior to Caucasians?

Photo credit: www.wtxl.com

In a crowded world where we have incredibly bright astronauts, scientists, doctors, attorneys, and engineers, to name few, what made the message of equality too complicated? I’m talking about a time when the world enjoyed high literacy with self-righteous and educated fools. How could they pick their noses while looking low on their fellow citizens solely because of their race? That is why Dr. Martin Luther King spoke against their actions. The racists expected him to promote lawlessness. They wanted to brand him as a thug anticipating that he would lead a civil rebellion against the government.

Instead, Dr. King spoke to the conscience of the nation. He challenged everyone’s intellect and exposed the barbaric nature of the people who claimed to be good. During his “I have a Dream” speech, Dr. King said, “…hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the black person is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the black person lives on ‘a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity.’ One hundred years later, the black person has still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his land. And so we’ve come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.”

Photo credit: www.biography.com

He shamed the tyrants! They had created the word negro as an indignity to black people. To add more insult to that, they threw in the word “nigger.” The moment the new generation of African descendants replaced “nigger” [the insult] to “nigga” [the tribute] they suddenly had a problem with the word. Except, for restitution to transpire, the West must acknowledge all Africans as a people with an unblemished traditional orientation and cultural heritage. No matter where the person came from, Asian, Arab, Indian, Caucasian, and people of all other race must esteem every black man, woman, and child since black people have made the most enormous sacrifice.

… until her stolen wealth is returned without calling it aide; and equal opportunities,
respect and appreciation is afforded to all…”

How can you co-exist with a people and not respect their heritage? The world owes Africans a profound and formal apology. Most specifically for dethroning her kings and dishonoring her queens. For desecrating her sacred traditions, enslaving her people, discriminating, segregating and alienating them. Until the West returns the wealth, they stole without calling it, aide. Yes, until the world affords equal respect and appreciation for Africa. Any attempts to heal the shameful crimes against African humanity is a half-assed venture. To honor blacks one must acknowledge the origin of the race. That starts from the African roots. We must transform the universal hatred for “colored people” to one of mutual admiration.

Photo credit: matadornetwork.com

Moreover, they cheer us along. “Hooray! Negro! You have equality. We have a black First Family now.” Interracial couples could walk the streets freely. Alternatively, can Africans go about living our lives without getting dirty looks? Some Blacks have climbed high on both the corporate and political ladders. However, many still await their fair shake in the availability of well-paid employment. Wasn’t it so recent that the public revolted on Saturday Night Live to hire a black actress? Dr. King had a dream so vivid they killed him over it. The FBI watched his every move and tapped all his phones, but they did not see the shooter coming to assassinate him? Did they mail incriminating pictures to his wife to expose his infidelity? All because he had this dream? All because he said:

“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.”

“One day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.”

“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.”

Photo credit: parade.com

Today I ask you, has Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream come through yet? Are the African people, still endeavoring to realize this dream? As we conceptualize coming black history months, we have to be honest with ourselves. Black people are always striving for equal recognition, respect, and appreciation even in a technology savvy 2014. Some say black people struggled feverishly to eradicate racism and enlighten the world of our illustrious heritage. Only, once we received some freedom the subsequent generations went and got HIGH! We sagged our pants, abandoned our women, in some cases our children as well, and we’ve picked up the gun and began to murder each other.

Some say we have lost our cause as our musicians no longer lament or sing about it. But Dr. King’s dream still lives on. Others believe the black man got high out of frustration, that he abandoned his woman and children due to feminism. Or from share lack in attaining the economic status he needed to support his family. With all the strides Africans have made as a race, we still have positions in the Western society which a black person has yet to reach. Of course, we are grateful for today. Many of us are highly educated, some are well paid. Notwithstanding, as we look back in history to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s life and legacy, his contributions towards our freedom, I ask: has the dream come through yet? Let’s keep this dream alive! *

www.freddywill.com

About Post Author

Wilfred Kanu Jr.

Wilfred Kanu Jr., known as Freddy Will, is a Sierra Leonean-born American author, music producer, and recording artist. He writes on history, philosophy, geopolitics, biography, poetry, public discourse, and fiction. He resides in Berlin, Germany, mixing hip-hop music with jazz, calypso, dancehall, classical, r&b, and afrobeat.
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