On August 24th 2013, the nation celebrated the 50th anniversary of a seminal moment in the history of the United States—the 1963 March on Washington. The commemoration was organized by Communities Without Boundaries International, Inc. (CWBI) and the National Action Network (NAN) and led by Martin Luther King III and Rev. Al Sharpton. They were joined by a coalition of organizations and individuals from across ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds, as well as labor leaders, elected officials, civil society, and religious leadership. Acknowledging the importance of the progress that has been made over the past fifty years, but also recognizing the work that is still left to be done, the coalition of individuals and organizations together with CWBI and NAN titled the commemoration the National Action to Realize the Dream: 50th Anniversary March on Washington (NARTD-MOW).
On the eve of the march, CWBI hosted a reception at the School for Con!ict Analysis and Resolution (S-CAR) to welcome the speakers including Martin Luther King III, U.S. House Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi, Dr. Rajmohan Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and several other speakers and members of the larger coalition. The School for Con!ict Analysis and Resolution was well represented by seven current and former students and faculty—Johnny J. Mack, Dr. Maneshka Eliatamby, Dr. Michael Shank, J. R. Altidor, Joann Kim, Addis Asesa, and Mark Perez—speaking at the march. George Mason University President Angel Cabrera was the only university president to speak at the march. Each speaker focused on the achievements of the past fifty years and the work that the United States is tasked with in order to realize the dream for all members of our communities.
President Cabrera focused his speech on the importance of education noting that “thousands of young men and women are denied a college education every year shutting them out of the American dream. It is only because of their low economic status and others’ perception that they are not American enough or are not documented enough”. Johnny Mack, president of CWBI, and a PhD candidate at S-CAR, introduced Martin Luther King III. He saw the 1963 event as one of the most significant events in the history of mankind’s struggle for its own identity. He rejected on the multitude from all ethnic persuasions that gathered to hear the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Dr. King’s son has called us all to celebrate, nor nearly to commemorate, but to inoculate our human spirit, to galvanize, and energize our collective consciences to take action to realize the dream”, he said.
Dr. Maneshka Eliatamby, Vice-President of CWBI, highlighted Dr. King’s vision of freedom, justice, and equality for the world and added, "closely associated with the same challenge is a society that makes them possible by ensuring equal treatment and access to the pursuit of happiness. This is the time to launch a new challenge that will raise the consciousness of the world and the urgency of now.” She concluded with a call to action. “Join Communities Without Boundaries International in the National Action to Realize the Dream: America Speakers Tour as civil society and Americans from all walks of life galvanize and take on the challenges of now.”
Dr. Michael Shank focused on nonviolence and America’s capability to lead the way in this revolution of values by trying to understand the enemy’s point of view. He made reference to Robert Kennedy’s remarks after the assassination of Dr. King on the menace of mindless violence to our society and the corrosive effect of institutional violence. He quoted Present Kennedy: “…the pursuit of peace is our most urgent task.” Addishiywot Asessa Girmammo (Addis), Joann Kim, and Mark Perez approached the podium together to represent Youth Without Boundaries to highlight the difference the youth are making around the world. Addis opened with “youth can play a pivotal role to bring about positive and tangible change in society and will only succeed if society invests in them.” Joann chimed in to rally support: “Won't you join us? We aren't irresponsible! We aren't indifferent! We are passionate! We are creative! We are capable! We are leaders.” Mark Perez concluded with: “History will affirm that it is the youth that have always been at the forefront of change. Each of us has a unique gift to either advance the rightful causes of humanity or aid its destruction.”
I used this opportunity to reflect on my accomplishment in this country as an immigrant who has realized the dreams formulated as a child in Haiti. It would not have been possible for certain immigrants to realize their dreams in America if the status quo of the pre-civil rights movement era had remained unchallenged. I am thankful to Dr. King and those who sacrificed so much during the civil rights movement. The march was a great success and well attended. People came from all over to participate. The 50th anniversary commemoration launched the National Action to Realize the Dream initiative, which will be spearheaded by CWBI in collaboration with its partners.
### Photo: CWBI