Legal Commentary

The Dream--A Step Closer

By Patrick J. Lamb

I have always tried to keep politics out of this blog.  But sometimes history overtakes events and exceptions must be made.

When I was a child, I wrote a paper on Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech and through many different avenues, it keeps coming back into my life.  I was always touched by this line: 

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have always wanted to be judged by the content of my character.  I can only imagine the thirst those who are not part of the majority feel for the same thing.

I spent yesterday sitting outside the polling place at the Good Samaritan Lutheran Church in South Bend IN doing voter protection for President-elect Obama.  The weather could not have been nicer—70 degrees, cloudless bright blue sky, beautiful fall colors.  Our precinct had 1,114 registered voters, up 20% over the last two election cycles.  Over 750 people voted, roughly half black and half white.  The Obama ground organization was unbelieveable—volunteers of all ages and colors.  There was a sense of excitement, of anticipation, that was palpable.  I could feel that the African American voters were walking a little taller.  It was a sight.   And it made me remember a conversation I had with my Dad.   I remember asking him once why he thought the Kennedy election was so important.  He told me it was because he felt that  a world of opportunities had opened for his three year old son that had not existed before.  My response to him was that I never once thought being Irish or Catholic was a roadblock.  As I was thinking back about that conversation yesterday, the obvious finally dawned on me after all these years.  My reaction was exactly the sign of progress my Dad had hoped for when I was three.   And then I thought about how many minority kids might now grow up like I did, not  feeling encumbered by the traits over which we have no control.  If that happens, yesterday's historic event will truly be a great step forward for our country.  Obama's reference to the founding fathers brought to mind their very deliberate word choice—"In order to form a more perfect union…"  They knew we would not be perfect.  Ever.  But the desire to be "more perfect"—sort of an olden days version of continual improvement—is at the very soul of America.  It may take time, but that which is wrong will be made right. 

So whoever you voted for, whatever your politics, perhaps we can all agree that something historic happened yesterday.  And maybe we, as the great country we are, have taken another step toward the Dream. 

Full post as published by In Search of Perfect Client Service on November 05, 2008 (boomark / email).