Cleaver: The dream has not yet been realized

In his latest EC from DC report, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver notes on the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, the parts of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech that have not yet been realized.

As this country celebrates the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, I think it is important to take a look at where we are going, the progress we’ve made, and where we have been. 

The March for jobs and freedom took place 50 years ago on August 28th at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. Of course, Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech captured the hearts and souls of America, and is one that I find inspiring still to this day. We have come so far as a nation – yet there is still much work to do. 

This year, as I marked the anniversary of the march, I also hoped it served as a reminder to all of us that the “Dream” has not been fulfilled yet, and the battle for justice goes on. 

Unemployment continues to plague communities throughout Missouri’s Fifth District, and our country.

• The black community still sees double the unemployment rates of the rest of the country.
  
• Youth unemployment is nearly six times higher.

Voting Rights suffered a crucial blow with the Supreme Court’s recently ruling on the Voting Rights Act.

• New laws are threatening voter protection.

For all of us, we must continue our battles in these areas and others. Workers’ Rights, Women’s Rights, Immigration Reform, Environmental Justice, and making sure our children, and their children, will be able to afford a college education. 

The March on Washington is a call to action for all of us. It is a call to work together to move forward -- to ensure equality for all.