Thoughts on the DNC

From what little I caught of the Democratic National Convention, they milked the American Dream metaphor for as much as its worth. From the daily themes to Obama's acceptance speech, it was everywhere.
Yet, all I could think of was Langston Hughes poem, Let America Be America Again.

Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be.
Let it be the pioneer on the plain
Seeking a home where he himself is free.

(America never was America to me.)

Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed--
Let it be that great strong land of love
Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme
That any man be crushed by one above.

(It never was America to me.)

O, let my land be a land where Liberty
Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath,
But opportunity is real, and life is free,
Equality is in the air we breathe.

(There's never been equality for me,
Nor freedom in this "homeland of the free.")

[see the rest here]

So, guys, if you're going to use this dream to get votes, don't forget who has been excluded from the dream and remember some of them vote too.

10 Other Things Dr. King Said

I know I have yet to discuss why I've created this blog, but I cannot ignore this day. 

It was 45 years ago Dr. King Jr gave his "I Have A Dream" speech. Iconic, important and beautiful, yet it seems that American society have given it the "Radio Single" treatment. Like John Mayer's "Waiting on the World to Change", or Alicia Key's "Fallin", "I Have a Dream" has been soundbitten, overplayed to the point of irritation, and we've completely ignored every other thing Dr. King has done. 

So, in honor of today, I'd like to post Jay Smooth's  10 Other Things Dr. King Said. Please enjoy.