Today marks the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Civil Rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. King was shot while standing on the second floor balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn. on April 4, 1968. Now, some members of the black community ask, what happens to a dream deferred?

In the recent aftermath of mobilization efforts within the black community, the debate about whether true activism still exists for members of the Diaspora continues, especially when it relates to the current generation.

Chigozie Onyema, one of the leaders of Howard's efforts to participate in the Jena "6" movement, says that the fire of activism has not died; it has just been manifest in a different form.

"This generation faces very different circumstances than previous generations, specifically the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's," Onyema said. "Black people in this country have fought incessantly for civil and human rights since coming into this space."

King lived in an era when African Americans, of almost every age, were heavily involved in the fight for equal opportunities in America. Students at black college campuses, like Shaw University in North Carolina, began organizing with its creation of organizations such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). But due to the stark change in the climate of blatant racism, the battle fought in the 60s has changed in today's America.

"This generation does not face the overt discrimination that previous ones have endured. Therefore, the activism and desire for social change is of a different character and requires a longer vision," Onyema said. "One that does not have the short term goal of a Voting Rights, Civil Rights or Fair Housing Act. In that longer vision, the fight is not as visible and the victories are fewer and further in between."

Arguably one of the largest mobilization efforts the black community, the Jena "6" rallies, marches and protests proved that not only does the current generation of young people care, but they also take action. After spending the weekend in Louisiana, some felt as though they had done their part, and it was back to business as usual.

Tambra Stevenson, of the Next Wave Action Summit, said the lack of hope provided to the black community contributes to the lackluster attitudes some may have towards social change.

"I believe that there have definitely been ripples in the pond of young people being mobilized and having hope, but at the same time, that hope and dream has not been realized for all," Stevenson said.

One problem she identifies that may be responsible for everyone not being able to realize the dream is the lack of care and concern for individuals.

"Hope is vitally important to what we do," Stevenson said. "What we've experienced over this last 40 years is the absence of a fertile environment for community growth and development. There was a whole village of children left behind, because of the lack of the community taking care of each other."

"How do you create a world where the heavy emphasis isn't on making money, but keeping souls in tact? King represented the head and the community represented the body."

CNN recently published an article about King's legacy and asked those closest to him to envision a world without King's assassination. In the article, journalist, author and commentator Juan Williams says that his focus would be on the social ills plaguing the black community today.

"The big issue would be whether or not when he spoke out against the excesses of the rappers, for example, or when he spoke out on the high number of children born out of wedlock, whether or not he would be lumped in with the Bill Cosbys of the world," Williams said.

It said King would be speaking out vehemently about the war in Iraq. In a sermon he gave two months before his assassination, he spoke out against the Vietnam War, saying, "God didn't call America to engage in a senseless, unjust war. And we are criminals in that war. We've committed more war crimes almost than any nation in the world, and I'm going to continue to say it."

Thehilltoponline.com at Howard University originally published this article.

King's Dream Recalled at Florida A&M

Forty years after the assassination of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., Florida Gov. Charlie Crist along with Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp spoke to Florida A&M University students and faculty regarding King's dream.

The event was held in front of FAMU's Black Archives.

King was assassinated April 4, 1968. The Florida Conference of Black State Legislators, Crist, Kottkamp and FAMU officials observed April 3 to stress the importance of King's life.

Cynthia Hughes-Harris, FAMU provost, opened the event by introducing Crist and Kottkamp. Next, Hughes-Harris introduced Student Government Association President Monique Gillum. During her speech, Gillum reminded the audience that Kings' dream still lives on.

"His dream, 40 years later, is still intact," Gillum said.

After Gillum's words, 2008-2009 SGA President-Elect Andrew Collins gave a brief biography of Kings' life. Afterward, the crowd turned its attention to Crist.

Crist said it is important to remember April 3 because on that day King was still alive sharing his dream with others, making sure others understood how important it was to stand up for what they believed in. Crist said King always did so in a civil, dignified way.

"He (King) gave that great a speech ("I have a dream") in Washington D.C. and we heard some of the lines eloquently recited here today so I will not attempt to do that again, except to say how powerful it is when somebody says they have a dream," Crist said.

Crist went on to mention some of the reasons many people run for leadership positions.

"All of us have a dream," Crist said. "All of us have a dream of a better life or a family, friends, love ones and that's why the Lieutenant governor and I and all these wonderful people ran for office and I'm sure why your incoming president and outgoing student body president is too. They wanted to make a difference. We got elected to make a difference."

Crist added, "Dr. King really was a mentor to all of us. He lived his life to make sure others would have a better life."

Matthew Richardson Writes for The Famuan, Florida A&M University's student newspaper, which originally published this article.

Posted April 4, 2008