'I Have a Dream' Is Still Not Yet a Reality

It seems Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech needs to be revisited. Both the UK and America are countries which pride themselves on their people having rights regardless of your religion, race or gender. I think it's time we start to recognise this once more.

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

In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the famous 'I have a Dream' speech to more than 250,000 people. This speech defined the Civil Rights Movement and set him as one of Americans greatest heroes.

On the 20th of January every year, America takes a day out to celebrate his life. A life which saw him dedicating his time, energy and focus on the fight for racial justice in America during the Civil War.

It worked, in 1968 the Congress passed The Civil Rights Act of 1968, which meant that regardless of race, religion or creed equal housing opportunities would be created for all Americans.

Although the importance of the holiday has somehow been lost in transit, and as most public holiday's it's seen as just another extended weekend, it's important to remember the value of this day not just in America but the world over.

Martin Luther King Jr. took a stand for the rights of black people, yet somehow more than 50 years later, it pains me to see that discrimination still exists the world over.

Of course not in its severity as what was seen during the Civil War - discrimination exists in other ways that far too often get overlooked.

Here in the UK, the pay gap between women and men is still prevalent, with women apparently earning thousands less than men in the same role. When will this change?

And although immigrants make a huge contribution to the UK, it seems the UK government still plan to tighten up their rights - EU migrants can only claim jobseekers' allowance for six months unless they have genuine prospects of finding work.

This is, of course, a completely justifiable move, but why restricted to migrants - why not extend this to anyone looking for work - even British citizens?

With headlines in the press such as 'One in ten babies and toddlers in the UK is Muslim' it's no wonder the UK media is deemed racist.

I understand that this is a hugely controversial topic, and to be honest, I am by no means an expert, though I still do have an opinion, and it seems today is a valid day to get this opinion across.

It seems Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech needs to be revisited. Both the UK and America are countries which pride themselves on their people having rights regardless of your religion, race or gender. I think it's time we start to recognise this once more.

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