I Have A Dream.....It Hurts, But I Must Share It Anyway

If you do a web search for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2018, you’ll find a host of proclamations, activities and updates. Everything from what’s open or closed, who may be using the day to protest what cause, and even whether or not garbage will be collected that day.

This man – Martin Luther King, Jr. – and his legacy, form a cornerstone of our country’s landscape. As we approach January 15, 2018, where we honor Dr. King, I find myself wondering what he would think if he were alive today. What advice would he give us to navigate today's troubled waters?

So, I returned to August 28, 1963 to hear from Dr. King himself. I listened to the I Have A Dream speech - again.

It’s a speech that never gets old, nor does it ever fail to give me chills. 

Dr. King takes my hand and walks me through history - a cold, dark history of pain, suffering and disappointment. Then he taps me on the shoulder to remind me of my power to reshape the present and create a better future. He challenges me to face my enemies and invite them into an uncomfortable conversation. Even as he rightly names the symptoms and causes of a diseased society, he is careful to remind me of my duty to manage my own behavior. Dr. King realizes that I may have grown weary with the journey, even considering surrender. So, after stirring my soul with what has been, he moves on to describe what is within reach. He offers large doses of faith and hope. He takes me to the edge of that place where despair fades, then dies - and dreams are born.

Dr. King is not just talking about any dream - it’s one “deeply rooted in the American dream.”

Before Dr. King paints the vivid color picture of that dream, he talks about our responsibility – to the world and to each other. He describes the table of brotherhood where sons of slaves and sons of former slave owners have convened to engage with each other. 

Today, can you imagine making such a statement which talks about the cancer of slavery, even while encouraging brotherhood? We can hardly say the words ‘black’ and ‘white’ without inciting fury.

But, Dr. King admonishes us not to drink from the “cup of bitterness and hatred.” Those listening would have surely understood the eloquent simplicity of that statement. Yet, he goes on to share the reasons why: because all of our destinies are “tied up” together. In other words, none of us can truly be whole if all of us are not whole.

There’s a sense of calm, yet urgency, in his speech. There’s “no time to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism,” he says. We can no longer stay silent on the important issues.

The issues to which Dr. King was referring are rooted in racial discrimination and its stain on America. While we clearly have work to do and hills to climb, we have made tremendous and momentous strides since then.

Now, bitterness and hatred are taking root in new and wicked ways, bringing new tidal waves across our society. We can't be lulled by those waves into a sense of normalcy. It's not normal. The clock is ticking on the time remaining to push these waves back to shore; back to stability and decency.

In other words…Time’s Up. 

Time’s Up, because nearly fifty-five years after Martin Luther King Jr. gave this speech, the soul of our nation hangs in the balance. We are far from that “beautiful symphony of brotherhood” which he spoke about.

Time’s Up, because as I write this, there’s a social media mob spewing vile comments about someone who dared to speak their mind on Facebook.

Time’s Up, because there is a real mob assembling tomorrow to proclaim extremist views from either side of the political aisle.

Time’s Up, because there is a journalist who just closed down his email account in response to threats of violence against him and his young children - after having written something neutral about President Trump.

Time’s Up, because as the dust is settling from the one of the greatest reckonings in our society where women are finding their voice, men are now silencing themselves - or being silenced - from honest conversations due to fear of offending a woman (as Debjani Biswas referenced in her LinkedIn article). 

I imagine that if Dr. King were alive today, he'd check in on that 'table of brotherhood' and find it overturned, with shards of glass strewn about - and with no clear leaders tending to the mess created.

As I think of that image, I'm saddened but I have not lost hope - I cannot afford to. And, neither can you. So, I have a dream today that I need to share....

I have a dream that those who espouse hatred and violence, will be totally disempowered, because good men and women have chosen to do something rather than nothing; and that the ‘something’ is not at the expense of freedom of speech, the law or of an orderly society.

I have a dream that my two sons will be part of the solution around social causes and female representation, but never - ever - lose their own voices in the process.

I have a dream that random acts of kindness will become less random, where expressions like “I appreciate you”, “You matter”, “You’re loved” and “I’m listening” – begin to flood social media posts and become infectious to readers and writers.

I have a dream that judging the content of one’s character includes permission to operate outside of one's assumed political party, ethnic or gender characteristics 'box.'

I have a dream that leaders – from every industry – will lead, and will serve as much stronger role models; being tough on the issue and soft on the person.

I have a dream that we will begin to view a new day, a new week, a new month or a new year as Dr. King would – as a new beginning. 

I too refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds to cash in on America’s promises. So, I still dream, even when it hurts.

Will you join me?

If so, share this post and ask others to share it. Flood LinkedIn with remnants of your own dreams for something better.....share your own thoughts.

As you dream about a healthier nation, make it specific - paint it in vivid color pictures to help others see what it looks like. And, dream big....with deadlines. 

Because, Time’s Up.

Joanne Rencher is the Chief Business and Talent Officer at the Girl Scouts of the USA; and Founder of Who's Got Next in HR?(WGNinHR) www.wgninhr.org.