Odyssey students start the new year just after Martin Luther King Jr. Day by reading his powerful 1963 “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” With its fervent call for justice, equality, unity and love, King’s words ring with especially urgent relevance this year: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” “I doubt that you would so quickly commend the policemen if you were to observe their ugly and inhumane treatment of [Blacks]” and “Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear‑drenched communities.”
Students write their own dreams after reading King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, as in the examples below. To read others, check out the February 5, 2020 Oracle.
“I have a dream that my children will not be judged by the color of their skin.” (Jyneeva)
“I have a dream of no more racial discrimination.” (Eliazar)
“I have a dream that we won’t have to die because healthcare is too expensive.” (Loche)
“I have a dream that my family will overcome generational poverty.” (Moriah)
“I have a dream that all humans are treated with equality, respect, and dignity regardless of skin color and that we all have the right to education and progress.” (Carmen)
Honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. by empowering our Odyssey families to overcome adversity and achieve dreams through higher education.