Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – January 16, 2023

Most of us know that in August of 1963, in his most famous speech at the Lincoln Memorial, Dr. King spoke of his dream. In that speech, Dr. King also observed:

When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men…would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
 

It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned…. But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.

We are fortunate to work at a law firm with a strong tradition and history of using our pro bono efforts to move the country closer to the standard of equal justice and fairness; a firm that recognizes the special responsibility that our privileged position has given us.    

While America may have caught up on some overdue obligations during the past 60 years, its promissory note remains in default.  If you are interested in supporting the Center for Racial Equity in its efforts to help further ameliorate these arrearages, please click here.

In this work, and in our daily lives, let us all make an effort to support the continued fight for equity and equal justice under the law. Let us all work to make Dr. King’s dream a reality.