Is This the Moment to Build a Movement?

I think it is time...past time...to unite the fight to end poverty in the world's wealthiest country, address the systemic racism reflected in our immoral prison system and police shootings, stop environmental degradation, and fund these cultural transitions (and restore a sense of humanity) by ending war. These four issues - poverty, racism, ecological destruction, and endless war – are intrinsically bound together. The Poor People's Campaign began forty days of action last Monday. Each week represents a different theme, and there are concurrent actions in thirty capitols.

The Unfulfilled Dream

"WE MUST SEE NOW THAT THE EVILS OF RACISM, ECONOMIC
EXPLOITATION AND MILITARISM ARE ALL TIED TOGETHER...YOU CAN’T
REALLY GET RID OF ONE WITHOUT GETTING RID OF THE OTHERS...THE
WHOLE STRUCTURE OF AMERICAN LIFE MUST BE CHANGED."

—The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., May 1967

I never met Martin Luther King, Jr. I was only 14 when he was murdered (perhaps by our own government). However, I later worked with many people who were his friends...so called foot soldiers of the movement. So although we never met, he influenced me. I think he influenced our nation, helping us reach for a higher morality and better society. He was a human, and like us all continued to grow and evolve throughout his life. I think he was really maturing and carrying the movement forward when he began the poor people's campaign. Today I want to look at the dream which has yet to be realized, and the new effort to revive the poor people's campaign.