As the nation commemorates the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. with a federal holiday this Monday, the celebrations and programs are overshadowed by the stark reality that King’s dream of a colorblind society remains largely unfulfilled.

King, in his iconic 1963 speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, challenged America to live up to its founding promises of freedom, equality, and justice for all. Yet, despite the presence of a record 62 Black members in Congress and Black mayors leading major cities like Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia, Black Americans continue to face inequalities across various sectors, including education, criminal justice, healthcare, economics, and contracting.

The urgency to address these issues is further emphasized by the passage of laws in several states, such as Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi, that seek to erase Black history from schools and regulate discussions on race in classrooms, posing a direct threat to an accurate understanding of history.

The potential for realizing King’s dream lies in the hands of Black elected leaders who now hold unprecedented positions of power. A historic moment is witnessed with a record seven Black statehouse speakers, including Emanuel “Chris” Welch in Illinois, Joanna McClinton in Pennsylvania, and Rachel Talbot Ross in Maine. However, the article challenges these leaders to go beyond the trappings of power and actively address the historical and present wrongs faced by Black communities.

The call for bold policies to end generational poverty and provide hope for marginalized communities is emphasized, urging Black leaders to utilize their collective power for the greater good. The article cites the Pew Research Center’s poll, revealing that over 80% of Black Americans feel that efforts to ensure equality have not gone far enough.

In Chicago, a city once home to King, the article paints a vivid picture of homelessness, hopelessness, drug addiction, and mental illness. It points out the urgent need for public policy addressing affordable and fair housing, echoing King’s fight for fair housing in the North Lawndale neighborhood in 1966.

The article challenges the government’s response to persistent health disparities, quoting King’s assertion that injustice in health is the most shocking and inhuman form of inequality. It calls for government leaders to prioritize and provide for their citizens, highlighting disparities in life expectancy in Chicago.

To fulfill King’s dream, the article proposes concrete suggestions, including Black elected leaders uniting for bold policy initiatives, funding think tanks at historically Black colleges and universities, and citizens actively voting and holding officials accountable.

In conclusion, the commentary aims to make those comfortable with promoting inequality and injustice uncomfortable, emphasizing the moral responsibility of government leaders to prioritize and protect their citizens.