This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Sunday marks the 48th anniversary of one of the most well known, revered and misused speeches of the 20th century. The "I Have a Dream" speech given by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called for racial equality and an end to discrimination. The 1963 speech was widely broadcast and concluded "The March on Washington," an event meant to pressure the Kennedy administration to push for civil rights.
With the passion of a Baptist preacher, King was eloquent and honest about the overt racism pervasive in our country. He spoke of the Emancipation Proclamation as a symbol of hope to millions of enslaved African Americans, but also stated that 100 years later, "the Negro still is not free."
One simply could not argue with King's description of the racial climate then. Regrettably, one could make the same observations today.
Oftentimes, King's speech is used to promote a colorblind ideology that is neither viable nor desirable. When King had 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 the content of their character," he was not promoting the invisibility of race. Race is impossible to overlook and has important relevancy for the individual. The color of one's skin has significant historical connections and important political, economic, and social implications.
This is not to say that individuals need to be pitied or receive "special treatment." What people are looking for is respect and equity and an awareness of the struggles they face as people of color. Who people are, how their identities are formed, and how they navigate through society are tied to skin color, and this, in turn, is tied to their ethnicity and culture. If the United States is indeed multicultural, then let us truly embrace the myriad of cultures without asking for them to be put aside. If we indeed value diversity, then let us embrace differences without attaching stereotypes and stigmas.
Sadly, the history we learn in school paints a government and society progressing toward equality, glossing over details that would counter this view of the United States as a beacon of liberty for all. Racial discrimination and oppression are still a reality for many, and not just for African Americans.
The "I Have a Dream" speech speaks for justice. And not just racial justice, but justice for all those who are marginalized and oppressed. This includes equality for every social class, women, immigrants, refugees, old and young, gays and many other marginalized groups. Equality means equal access to opportunities, resources and rewards. Equality means being able to be proud of who you are and want to be, without fear of retaliation, discrimination and prejudice.
Each of us is responsible for moving toward this goal. Each of us can become a vocal advocate for justice. We need to challenge discriminatory remarks, actions and attitudes. It does not require political or economic power or privilege. It requires us to be brave, responsible and accountable as individuals who also have a dream — a dream that requires us to deal with the reality of continued oppression.
Irene Maya Ota is an instructor and the diversity coordinator for the University of Utah College of Social Work, as well as a doctoral candidate in the University of Utah's Department of Education, Culture, and Society. She is one of 13 certified Antidiscrimination Response Training trainers in the country.