Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of The March On Washington

When Will Freedom Come: Remembering the Civil Rights Foot Soldiers As Dreamers
Written for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee, Inc., in Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington and the Dedication of the CIVIL RIGHTS FOOT SOLDIERS MEMORIAL on August 28th, 2013 at 10:00AM, Whitmore Park in Annapolis, Maryland) A Public Event...
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There is perhaps no greater gift to society than the Dreamer.
For it is the Dreamer who believes

that Good Change is possible.  

It is the Dreamer that looks upon a society's inequities
and desires a better life for themselves, their families,
their neighbors and their Nation.

It is the Dreamer who having awakened to the Truth
that ALL people are created Equal
asks How Will Freedom Come?

On August 28th in 1963, A. Phillip Randolph,
Bayard Rustin, Mahalia Jackson, John Lewis, Peter,
Paul and Mary, Bob Dylan, Julian Bond, Odetta,
Jackie Robinson, James Baldwin, Marlon Brando,
Joan Baez, Paul Newman, Harry Belafonte,
Eleanor Holmes Norton, Andrew Young, Marian Anderson,
Sammy Davis Jr., Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Malcolm X,
Diahann Carroll, Burt Lancaster, Dr. Benjamin Mays,
Roy Wilkins, Dorothy Height, Whitney Young,
and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were all in attendance
with 250 thousand Dreamers from across America
who gathered in Our Nation's Capitol
to rally for jobs, the right to vote,
desegregation and equality.

Some of these Dreamers had been working
in their communities, cities and states
for many generations to bring about Good Change.

They knew that just attending the March on Washington
was an act of rebellion
but more importantly,
it was an Act of Faith that could bring Change
and Hope for their Children.

They were people of all nationalities,
religious beliefs and colors.
They were clergy, union members, mechanics,
postal workers, railroad workers, pullman porters,
butlers, maids, police officers, doctors
nurses, educators, college students
and people from every occupation imaginable.

There were grandparents and mothers
and fathers who brought their children.
All believed that this country
could only live its greatness when Equality
and Equal Opportunity became the Law of the Land.

It was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who spoke
and articulated the Dream that had been swelling
in the hearts of many for generations and generations.

We know these 250,000 Dreamers as the Civil Rights Foot Soldiers.
Though we may not know their names,
today Fifty Years later, we honor the Civil Rights Foot Soldiers
their lives, their hopes and their Dreams.

And Fifty Years later, the message of equality, equity,
education, fair employment, Hope and Love
continues to deserve our attention;
for the work of the Dreamers and Civil Rights Foot Soldiers
is Far From Complete.

Freedom will come only when we
are willing to put down our guns,
open our hearts and listen deeply to Truth.

Freedom will come only when we
Rise Up Together
and decide to fix the broken
Political, Economic, Educational
and Social Systems of Inequity.

But Freedom Will Come!

As we remember The Civil Foot Rights Foot Soldiers,
in Our Hearts, we must continue to walk
across the Nation with Hope and Strong Resolve.
Then we will hear and sing the songs that mourn the loss
of Every Child of Violence and War and Racism and Poverty.
We will call for Peace and sing of Love.

Freedom will come when we truly
Desire Equity, Education
and Prosperity For ALL.

Freedom will come when we willingly
sit at the table together in Gratitude
and share our dreams, our food, our homes,
our education and our wealth.

Freedom will come only when we
once again notice
that Trees bend in reverence
as Spring, Summer and Autumn Leaves
dance joyfully and teach Our Children
that All Humans deserve to be cared for and Loved!

Freedom will come as we Re-Member
that for All Our Children we must
offer Hope for their Dreams
and be willing to share Our Love.

Breathe Deeply
In Hope. Out Love.
Again Breathe.
In Hope. Out Love.

How will you honor the Dreamer Civil Rights Foot Soldiers?
Do you remember the Dream?
What will you do today and tomorrow?
How will Freedom come with Love
and decide to Live in Our Hearts
and Our Nation?

First Breathe. In Hope. Out Love!
We must once again commit to gather
in our communities, cities and states.

Remembering that ALL Are Created Equally,
let us sit at the table together in Gratitude
and share our Dreams, our food, our homes,
our education and our wealth.

It is then for the Dreamer, that Freedom Will Come!

(c) Rev. Melony McGant

Reverend Melony McGant attended the historic March on Washington in 1963 with her Mother, Betty J. Tilman, a Dreamer Civil Rights Foot Soldier and Peace and Freedom Activist who lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Melony counts many activists among her mentors including John Butler, Byrd R. Brown Esq., Katherine Dunham, Marcia L. Dyson, Alma Speed Fox, Sylvia Golbin Goodman, Helena and John Hughes, Maida Springer Kemp, Congressman Parren Mitchell, Jackie Mullins, Gabbi Russell, Dolores Stanton and Dr. Glory Van Scott.

A veteran of the United States Navy, Melony is a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, W. VA and One Spirit Interfaith Seminary in New York City. Melony McGant is a poet, humanist & compassionate communications professional and has received several awards and recognition for her volunteer and community efforts which include the Pittsburgh City Council Women's Recognition Award, the Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense and Education Fund Community Service Award (MBELDEF), the New Mexico Not Even One Service Award, and the 911 Red Cross Volunteer Award.

Melony McGant is also a professional storyteller and writer. She has penned articles for African Voices and MBE magazines, and was a columnist for the New Pittsbugh Courier. Her books include Sunshine & Olivier: A Parable of Love, The Healing Adagio: A Love Symphony in Five Parts" and the upcoming book SEEKER DREAMER: Amazing, Brilliant Compassionate YOU! which will be available in November, 2013!