Speech Publication: Dr. King’s Unfinished Business: Promoting Economic Empowerment

The five winners of the North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical competition read their speeches during the annual celebration of life at the St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley. 

Fourth-grader Grace Bishop's speech has been republished here -- with the consent of her mother.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “In a sense we have come to our nation’s capital to cash a check.  We refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt.  We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation.  And so, we’ve come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.”  Dr. King was a great leader.  He taught people that a person is a person, no matter if they are Black or White.  He loved everyone for who they were.  That’s why he walked, talked, marched, and prayed with others to make a difference.

Although Dr. King did his best to fight for freedom, some of his dreams did not come true.  For example, do you ever see someone not getting the same rights as other people because of their skin color?  Do you ever see someone not getting a job because the decision maker doesn’t think they’re as good as someone else?     

At this time in America, some people still do not produce economic empowerment.  Some people are still waiting for their check to be cashed.  Some people do not have money.  There are many Americans who are homeless and do not have clothes or food. 

However, Dr. King would be honored that myself and others care about economic empowerment.  Dr. King once stated, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”  This quote tells me that even though I can’t see what my future may hold, if I believe in myself and follow my dreams, I will someday have enough money to support myself and economically empower others.       

My first step is to work hard in school.  I will listen to my teacher and get my work finished.  If I do this, I will get into a good college and earn a degree.  Once I do this, I can get a good job as a businesswoman.  Specifically, I would like to organize files.  I even prepare for this now by helping my mom with her teacher work.

Once I have this empowerment, I want to live by these words of Dr. King: “Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”  I will choose to walk in the light by encouraging others to work harder.  In school, I can motivate others to follow their dreams.  Once I have a successful career, I will economically empower others to do the same by donating money to help others achieve experiences. 

You could help the nation finally cash their check.  You have a chance to make a change.  The next time you see someone not getting the same rights, stand up for them.  After all, that’s what Dr. King would have wanted to have a world of independence, fairness and non-racism.