The nation pauses this week to remember, celebrate and honor a man who kept hope alive through his willingness to dare to dream. Each year as we celebrate the legacy and life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, we are called to recommit ourselves to acting for justice, equality and dignity for all persons, no matter, race, creed, gender or nationality.

It appears that history is repeating itself as we continue to see again and again the lives of blacks and others of color disregarded as insignificant and unimportant. I would say that it isn’t a repeat of history, rather a continued reality of the festering of the cancer of racism, injustice and inequality that has sickened our nation. We continue to strive for equality and justice in a nation where a dream is still been differed for many who still dare to dream. Recall the words written BY LANGSTON HUGHES

“What happens to a dream deferred?

      Does it dry up   like a raisin in the sun?

      Or fester like a sore—  And then run?

      Does it stink like rotten meat?

      Or crust and sugar over—like a syrupy sweet?

      Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

The racism and injustice that we face day to day from the death of black men on our street by those sworn to protect and serve, or by those who proclaim our lives matter while ignoring black on black violence in our neighborhoods and streets. It appears that the dream of Martin Luther King has been deferred. The commitment to strip away voting rights, to abolishing affirmative action, the lack of affordable housing and no desire for immigration reform brings to question, “What has happened to a dream differed?”

In our efforts to bring forth justice here in Pinnelas County we work together to strive for justice and dignity for all persons whose dreams have been differed. We refuse to continue this deference to injustice and inequality, rather we work, unite and stand together to. ring about a more just community. Civic leaders, faith leaders, citizens and members of congregations whether, Jewish or Christian, Protestant or Catholic all form a woven tapestry strengthen by a bond of unity that shields, warms and provides comfort for the oppressed and encircles and includes those on the peripheries.

In his letter from the Birmingham Jail the urgency and responsibility to act now and no longer defer justice resounds as a call to action today. The celebration of Martin Luther King Jr Holiday not only is a day of parades and barbecues, dancing and music, but it must be a recommitment and real dedication to making dreams a reality of equality, dignity and justice for all. Hearts that dream and strive for the transformation of our world to reflect the reality of the kingdom of God present in our world. Don’t defer but dare to Dream!

, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly … Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.”^[. MLK. Birmingham Jail 1963