I just realized that today or what is left of today in Hawaii is the anniversary of the August 28, 1963 March on Washington. I guess the new MLK memorial dedication was supposed to coincide with this day.
It was such a coming together of people marching for civil rights and economic issues. I often think about this and if we could affect change in our government if it could happen today.
I also think that the economic deterioration of our country may not make this possible. I know I could not afford a trip to DC today. Americans are struggling.
March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was a large political rally in support of civil and economic rights for African Americans that took place in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, August 28, 1963. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech advocating racial harmony at the Lincoln Memorial during the march. The march was organized by a group of civil rights, labor, and religious organizations, under the theme jobs, and freedom.
There seemed to be some controversy with John Lewis' speech as he was criticizing the Kennedy Administration for not doing enough and some of his speech was censored.
The estimate was 200,000 to 300,000 people involved and the leaders of the march were late for the start of the protest as they were meeting with congressional leaders just before the march.
It seems like the only criticism came from Malcolm x
describing it as "a picnic" and "a circus". He said the civil rights leaders had diluted the original purpose of the march, which had been to show the strength and anger of black people, by allowing white people and organizations to help plan and participate in the march.
The media gave this national coverage, something that is lacking today for example the Wisconsin protests that get very little media coverage. I think this was a most defining moment for civil rights and I am very proud of these Americans.