Dr. MLK Jr: Let Freedom Ring
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Dr. MLK Jr: Let Freedom Ring
The complete, “I Have a Dream” speech.
Dr. King’s voice is instantly familiar and one of a kind. Often imitated but never duplicated.
The voice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. plays in my ears like a playlist of my favorite songs. I close my eyes and listen to his melodious words, and repeating rhythms. Each song is an anthem for justice, peace, and freedom. Dr. King’s voice is instantly familiar and one of a kind. Often imitated but never duplicated. Like Spotify, other artists with voices like his soothed my soul with hope, encouragement, and optimism to keep my Eyes on the Prize.
Dr. King was like a family member to me, a name I heard over and over again. His voice rang loud and clear in my home, church, school, and all over my community in Southside Chicago. His portrait was on every wall of every one of my mother’s friends’ houses, right next to the picture of Jesus Christ. King was a revered martyr of the civil rights movement and for the cause of justice and equality for all people. He was the Black Moses of the community. There were many uplifting voices like MLK, calling for the economic and political empowerment of the black community.
“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.” -MLK
Dr. MLK said, “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.” My mother’s strong and sweet voice lulled me to sleep and awakened me to each new day of life on the south side of Chicago. She filled my world with books, encyclopedias, and music. Like King, she shaped my identity into a confident and curious child, comfortable around all types of people. She raised me to be confident that I am worthy of an equal seat at the table. I am somebody.
Dr. King led famous marches to demand that America live up to its lofty democratic principles and highlighted the key role that black Americans have played in building our great nation.
Mediocrity was a dirty word to my distinguished black male and female teachers. They expected and demanded excellence. Education was a means to an end, a one-way freedom ticket out of poverty. I memorized Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, daily recited the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and learned about the founding fathers of our great nation. My teachers intertwined the knowledge of American history and black history together. You can’t have one without the other. I sang the black national anthem, studied black historical figures in the fields of literature, technology, science, and entertainment, and learned about the history of the enslavement of black people across the diaspora. Dr. King led famous marches to demand that America live up to its lofty democratic principles and highlighted the key role that black Americans have played in building our great nation.
While the voice of MLK may be considered the most notable, other leaders were making a strong impact in the black community. Malcolm X said, “By any means necessary”, we will gain our civil rights. He was not calling for senseless violence but for human dignity, respect, and the right to defend yourself against an aggressor. Jesse Jackson and his Rainbow PUSH Coalition began in Chicago and promoted economic means for success for black people to elevate the community out of poverty. Muhammad Ali used his technical boxing fist in the ring and his exquisite vocal artistry to promote the image of a strong black man and triumph over social and political injustice and inequality.
From our natural hairstyles to our ethnic food, and fashion, black women have shown the world the beauty, intelligence, and pride of our cultural heritage and its influence in America.
Many women known and nameless had direct involvement in the civil rights movement. Like Angela Davis, mothers, students, and women from all walks of life marched and were imprisoned for social justice. Female writers like Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and Nikki Giovanni with beautiful and fine articulation shared the black experience in their works. From our natural hairstyles to our ethnic food, and fashion, black women have shown the world the beauty, intelligence, and pride of our cultural heritage and its influence in America.
Where are the voices of MLK today? Who is ringing the bell of freedom across our land? Let freedom ring in the Supreme Court, let freedom ring in the halls of academia, let freedom ring in the boardrooms of corporate America. let freedom ring across our nation’s borders, let freedom ring in the Congress of the USA.
Let freedom ring.
Debra Hill
Debra Hill is an independent inspirational singer, author, songwriter, and writer. As a blind performer, she adds a personal story of God’s faithfulness. Her life exemplifies that Christ’s power will work to lift all regardless of circumstances.
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