Mayor's Weekly Column

From the Desk of Mayor Hall

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This week, our nation celebrated the birth one of one of its greatest champions of freedom, equality and justice. Seldom has history witnessed a more influential instrument of positive change than Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His brilliantly articulated vision of hope inspired not just his own generation, but also every one since -- men, women and young people of all races and backgrounds -- to strive for a society in which all are treated equally under the law and in the eyes of each other.

It was nearly 48 years ago that Dr. King first shared with us his vision for the future of America. “I have a dream,” he declared, “ that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’” These words still resonate as profoundly today as they did then.

It is interesting to contemplate what Dr. King would make of our country in 2011. I like to think he would be elated by how far we have come, though he would probably note that we still live in a world that is sorely in need of peace, progress and social justice. “No, no,” he said to hundreds of thousands gathered in Washington in 1963, “we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.” His dream has not come to total fruition, but indeed, incredible strides have been made toward achieving his aspiration for an America that lives up to its ideal of “one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.”

With all the destruction and strife in today’s world that has resulted from hatred and intolerance, there are profoundly important lessons to be drawn from Dr. King’s teachings. His speeches and written works are some of the most eloquent and moving in American history, and many are available at the Village Public Library. Let us all once again raise Dr. King’s banner of love and brotherhood, and dedicate ourselves to his unfinished work and to the great task remaining before us. Let’s vow to keep fighting to make his dream a reality.

To stay on top of what’s happening in the Village, please join our electronic mailing list by sending your name and email address to Mayor@villageofhempsteadny.gov, and listen to the “Hempstead Happening” radio show every Wednesday at 4:15 p.m. on WTHE-AM (1520).

Sincerely,

Wayne

Wayne J. Hall Sr.
Mayor of the Incorporated Village of Hempstead

 

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