I Have the Same Dream

(Speech given on the steps of the Washington Monument for an anti-discrimination rally)

My fellow Americans, “I have a dream”... “I have a dream”

Martin Luther King ushered these words into our world 52 years ago on these very steps where I stand before you today.

He wanted, to bring an end to segregation, and to embrace the truly noble ideals which this country stands for…

“freedom and democracy”...

Now, although these principles were written into practice over 200 years ago, we remain a long way from achieving them, even today.

Do not think I have come to speak to send you false hopes... What we stand for today is an ideal which has been shared by many throughout history, yet it has never, truly, been attained…

The road ahead of us is hard and laced with thorns… but, if you believe as I do, that there is nothing more important in this world than freedom, then what are a few measly thorns?

Who cares if the road is hard? For what we strive for is greater than the sum of all of our sufferings, multiplied by 10.

FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY!

UP UNTIL THIS POINT IT HAS REMAINED AN IDEAL! NOTHING MORE! LET US BE THE FIRST TO MAKE IT A REALITY!

[crowd cheers]

I thank you for coming here today, to listen to me and my associates present. It truly means a lot that so many others feel the same way as we do.

You know, you remind me of my neighborhood block-party. Sure, this is a little bit bigger than I remember it, but it is all the same.

Why, my friends and I would skate around on bikes and skateboards, and take turns playing in a sprinkler, we would share our toys and, when everybody got hungry, we would share a special communion with our families and friends. I remember every single one of those block parties fondly, because we were truly connected in those moments. It was more than simply being neighbors with one another, we were there for one another. On a more personal level… A true community.

And a true community is what we have here tonight. Why, if I had a big enough picnic table I would gladly share a meal with all of you!

[crowd laughs]

You are the future of a united people, a people that do not isolate, or discriminate, a people where the ideals unity and equality thrive, and anger and discrimination die…

Now as we start this rally for justice and further this cause against every form of discrimination, I would like to leave you with a few words of wisdom.

A good friend of mine, Marlon Wayaan, once told me “Success is not a destination, but the road that you're on. Being successful means that you're working hard and walking your walk every day. You can only live your dream by working hard towards it. That's living your dream.”

Now, let us live our dream by embracing these ideals we strive for every day AND MAKING THEM BECOME A REALITY!

[crowd cheers] --->>> [exit podium]