I know exactly where I was sixty years ago on this date. Washington, DC. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King , Jr. gave his infamous “I Have A Dream “ speech. Sixty years ago! Where have the years gone?

The local NAACP chapter chartered several buses to travel from Elmira to Washington to support the March on Washington. My younger brother, Tea, and I were able to participate on the trip. I’m still amazed that our parents let us go. Little did we know we were making history. Records show over 250,000 people attended. And I was there!

The event was unbelievable. From where we were standing we could see the main stage and the people on it. There were loud speakers everywhere so the sound was loud and clear. I especially enjoyed the music. Hearing Mahalia Jackson sing was powerful and memorable.

And that famous speech…Dr. M. L. King spoke words of encouragement and compassion. He addresses the injustices, inequality, and systemic racism problems with vivid imagery and examples that unfortunately are still a part of our society.

And yet , there remains a message of hope and solidarity as he ends the speech. I believe that one of these days, we will all be…”Free at last, free at last, thank God, Almighty, free at last.” Hopefully, it will not be another sixty years.