On Sunday, January 17, 2010, President Obama spoke at Vermont Avenue Baptist Church in Washington D.C., to the congregation about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the need for patience and persistence of the American community during its struggle to regain footing in this current time of economic hardship.
One of the interesting things I drew from his speech this morning was his advice on reinstating the fallen “American Dream.” As he spoke about the trials and struggles of Dr. King, he also mentioned the need for hard work and persistence, something many people struggle with on the road to success and recovery from hard times.
So many people complain about the president, no matter who he is. They like to point the finger and say, “It’s his fault our nation is failing. It’s his problem that our economy is in shambles.” Is it? I am probably one of the least politically minded people on the planet. I pay attention, but I don’t run around touting politics to anyone who’ll listen. My Nana taught me long ago that friends should never talk about politics or religion, because it tears people apart, and I believe she was right for the most part. People tend to have a hard time sharing different viewpoints without taking those views and opinions to heart.
That said, I’m going to tell you that I believe one year in the White House is not enough time to gauge the quality of President Obama’s leadership skills, or his future plans for our country. Call me green if you will, but I still believe in the “American Dream.” I know it takes hard work and persistence in order to reach our goals and make our dreams come true, whether as individuals, or as a nation. Sometimes it also means we have to make sacrifices and join forces with those around us, even if we don’t always see eye to eye.
And that’s not just Obama’s words, that was the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A vision that even today still crawls slowly toward complete realization.
So as you’re reflecting today in observance of Dr. King, reflect on his words, “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.”
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