Teaching Children About The Dream

Last week I have the privilege of visiting a friend's 3rd grade classroom to speak on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  I hope to have the opportunity to honor him every year, especially as the children get farther away in history from the incredible impact he made.

I find history and people fascinating.  I loved sharing the power of history if we touch both the generations before us and those after us.  If I join hands with the children and tell them my stories they can touch history all the way back to the early 1960's.  When I share the stories of my parents, we can go back to the 1930's and if I tell them about my great-grandfather that I knew and loved, they can link to history from the late 1800's. 

The prejudice and cruelty of the 60's is not so long ago.  I can reach back and touch it.  I vaguely remember separate water fountains and restrooms but I vividly remember the rioting I witnessed in Washington, DC.  I remember the pressure to not talk to blacks when I was in school.  I remember the meetings that were held in our neighborhood trying to force our family out because we let people of all races into our home.  I remember participating in the March on Washington and seeing my dad weep the day Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr was shot.

I am grateful for the changes I have seen in my lifetime.  They are huge.  There aren't separate restrooms and water fountains.  People have the right to vote.  They have the right to an education and great opportunities of employment.  We need to celebrate the advancements that have happened due to Dr. King's sacrifice and the sacrifices of many others.  

However, we still have a long way to go!  Our children and grandchildren need to know the pain of the past and the realities of the present.  After I spoke to the 3rd grade class, they had to complete the sentence, "I have a dream..." for themselves.  There were some very honest and vulnerable responses.

What struck me though was the racial tension that exists today was rarely mentioned.  This was a very multi-cultural class so I expected them to say more about it.  In some respects, I am glad racial tension is not huge on their radar, but in other respects, I am saddened.  Do they know that we have a long way to go?  Are we sharing and teaching enough about it?

I guess part of my dream is to never forget the past, to recognize the issues and pain of the present, and to commit to Dr. Martin Luther King's dreams for the future.  We still have so much to do.