By Shavonne Honor

Surveys conducted by many news polls revealed that most African Americans believe the dream Reverend King described in August of 1963 has been fulfilled.  Their optimism is not mirrored in reality.

To suggest that King’s dream has been fulfilled suggests that the struggles of African Americans have finally been resolved.¬† One would as likely retire from combat after receiving the Medalof Honor, neglecting to fight the rest of the war as have a goal fulfilled by its mere enumeration.

As an African American I know that the dream has not been realized.  However, I also know that many of us, myself included, have finally been awakened to the reality of our situation.   I have been asleep, thirsting for change but doing little to realize it, convinced of my efforts futility.  I have been held captive by the psychic chains of race, class, gender and sexual orientation.  For the first time in my life, I am awake.

It is little surprise that the Inaugural Ceremony’s theme is “Renewing America’s Promise”.¬† The President is hoping to carry the message of his campaign platform into his presidency.¬† Central to Obama’s policy is the task of showing the American people their role in the process of our government, enabling us to seize our shared destiny.

While we have yet to overcome the harsh realities of racism and sexism in our country, we have broken the regime of silence and forged an understanding of these problems.  The resilience of American determination to heal and to reconcile the disparities of our society remains.

As a people, we must recognize that Dr. King’s dream has not yet been realized but that the desire to do so has been awakened in the millions of people who stood witness to the 44th President’s inauguration.

The race to The White House laid one more tile in the historic mosaic of liberty, freedom, opportunity and hope for all people.¬† Diverse voices rang clear across the globe, unified in their support for a candidate who seemed to bear the torch not merely for one race, but all men and women devoted to Democracy’s promise.

The Presidential Inauguration held on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 is one more step down a road began when a white president from Texas and Black Reverend from Georgia fought under the same credo “We Shall Overcome.”

Barack Obama’s diversified upbringing is a testimony to the virtues he urges our nation to adopt: humility and perseverance.¬† We have high hopes and expectations of his leadership in this, a time of the greatest need.¬† May his administration be the beginning of a new legacy that commands hope, change and the progress of the human race.

Today, I am proud to be an American who happens to be an African American.  We must continue to struggle to ensure that our actions, what we make of ourselves, speaks to our character rather than the accidents of our birth.