Have the dreams of King, Woodson been deferred?

In this moment in our history, I imagine the founder and scholar of Black History Month, Dr. Carter G. Woodson and civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., are shaking their heads in disbelief in what is happening in the United States.

I believe they would question whether their sacrifices made the difference they truly intended or have we taken steps back into the past.

Were the hours of organizing, marching, and jail cell visits worth it? What about the time and money invested in the visits with the community leaders across the country, sheriffs and The President? Thinking back on the fish dinners sold, the phone calls made, the legendary speeches drafted and delivered with passion memorialized for decades, does it all still mean something beyond an annual celebration?

How is the substance of what these two leaders being implemented in our communities today?

Now is the time for us to have a meeting of the minds. It is time for our leaders to come across the aisle and meet and have meaningful conversations about changing policies to reflect the vision set forth by Dr. Carter G. Woodson and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Now is the time to address issues that plague Black and Brown communities with the same tenacity, clarity, and passion that Dr. King drew from when he wrote many of his memorable speeches. The concepts Dr. Woodson worked to embed in the history of our country deserve to be solidified through new laws and ratified in communities across the globe.

This is the year we need to impress upon our leaders that we will not erase the marches, or suppress votes, or act like the dream of Dr. King no longer has significance.

Shandale Terrell, Ed.D., is an educator for K-12 Polk County Public Schools and a civic leader in Lakeland, Polk County and Florida.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Have the dreams of King, Woodson been deferred?