The Dream Lives On

"I have a dream this afternoon that my four little children will not come up in the same young days that I came up within, but they will be judged on the basis of the content of their character, no the color of their skin." ~ Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

This week we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.  Dr. King's speech, regarded as one of the most pivotal speeches in American history laid the foundation for the civil rights movement.  It was King's vision of freedom, equality, and better jobs for all that united a nation to action.  As we reflect upon that day and to the busy day to day hustle of our daily lives, the many negative stories in the press, and overall view of today's society many are left to wonder... have we truly achieved King's dream?  

To answer that question I look to the running community.  Runners come in all shapes and sizes, with varying backgrounds, and experiences.  Without a doubt runners come from all walks of life.  We are a community that doesn't care about the color of your skin, your ethnicity, religion, or sexual bias.  The many bonds that are formed from the day to day running adventures provides a new perspective on what it means to be a family.

I've seen where a fellow runners will call to check in on each other to see how things are going.  If you have family members or a loved one sick we lean on each other and offer assistance from a shoulder to lean on to offering to help fill a need where we can.  As a community we are one... united towards a common goal to enjoy the sport we love.  It's that unifying love that brings us closer together.  I'm of the opinion that this was the true intent of Dr. King's speech, for each person to have the freedom and opportunity to do whatever they love, be it running, earning an education, or living on a farm in Utah.  Through that shared love we grow as one.

So, as we look back upon that August 28th day in 1963 all runners should thank the leaders of that movement for paving the way for us and  future generations to come for the opportunity to enjoy the sport we've all come to love with any and everybody.

Keep Running!!