2008 Oratory Contest Winning Essays

Winners are: Megan Hollowell, Allen Park High School
Taylor Daugherty, West Bloomfield High School

Megan Hollowell's manuscript for “The State of the Dream”.

Towards the mid-1900s, most American Caucasians were living the dream and had occasional nightmares. However, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was living a nightmare; nevertheless he had a great dream. What was this nightmare he was living? It was hostility and discrimination against African Americans. Unlike most people, Dr. King decided to change America and make his dream a reality for not only himself, but those all around him. His dream was equality. One little word can mean so much… equality. Can you even imagine not being treated as an equal? Can you picture being treated less than human? This is how the people of the same race as Dr. King were treated every day of their lives. Even though Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was murdered for his dream on April 4, 1968, his vision is still alive today. The words to his famous speech are still “I have a dream”, not I had a dream, we must keep this in mind with every move we make. The dream does still figuratively exist today; however, it also is becoming a reality. People of different colors, races, and religions are coming together, like at today’s event. They are becoming more than acquaintances, they are friends. Communities are not only allowing different ethnic groups into their neighborhoods; they are welcoming them to be a part of their local families. People are now seeing past outside appearances and looking at who somebody is on the inside. The dream still needs work though. There is still racism in existence today. Innocent people are still being slaughtered because of their race. We need to stop this. We need to keep the dream alive. Dr. King informs us that we need to work together to make this dream a reality. He tells us “we cannot walk alone”. So, how are you going to stop prejudice? Everybody must do their part to stop this in their own way. It could be protesting, stopping racist comments and rumors you hear, and simply showing love to those who are different than you. However you decide to show your participation in the dream, just do it. If you will not do it for today’s victims, do it for Dr. King because he can no longer take care of the dream himself. If Dr. King’s dream can come true, yours can too. Anything can happen if you work towards it enough and do not give up. After all, “We cannot turn back”. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has shown us this. If he was willing to die to make his dream come true, why can the people of today simply not stand up for what they believe in. After all, the popular thing to do is not always the right one.

 

Past Essay Contest Winners


Selected Media:
Candlelight Vigil for MLK inspires wider appreciation
The Oakland Press article from January 21, 2008

United We Walk events Scheduled
The Spinal Column article from January 16, 2008

Community Remembers MLK's Message
The West Bloomfield Beacon article from January 24, 2007

Steps Toward Unity
The Detroit Jewish News Online article from January 22, 2007

MLK Walk great
Observer-Eccentric article from January 26, 2006

Holding fast to his dream/Community celebrates 12th United We Walk
West Bloomfield Beacon article from January 25, 2006

Thousands honor the legacy of MLK
Observer-Eccentric article from January 19, 2006

United We Walk, pictures 10-13
Observer-Eccentric article from January 17, 2006

Painting a Dreamartistic Feat: Students decorate shoes in project to mark MLK day
Detroit Free Press article from January 12, 2006

Suburbs, city come together for MLK
Observer-Eccentric article from January 5, 2006

Huron Valley joins roster of King event
the Oakland Press article from January 4, 2006

Guyton to present at King program
The Detroit News article from December 28, 2005

Meaningful Conversations
West Bloomfield Beacon article from November 16, 2005

Festooned shoes coming to township
Observer-Eccentric article from November 3, 2005

Students say they can help solve racial issues
Detroit Free Press article from October 29, 2005

King Day tributes planned
Oakland Press article from January 19, 2003

Keeping the dream alive
Oakland Press article from January 21, 2003

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: Teens have a say
Detroit Free Press article from January 21, 2003

Candlelight vigil honors slain civil rights leader
Oakland Press article from January 21, 2002

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day: The Dream Lives On
Detroit Free Press article from January 21, 2002

A day for dreams
Oakland Press article from January 22, 2002

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Grasping his message
Detroit Free Press article from January 22, 2002

Students share views on race issues, experiences:
Detroit Free Press article from January 16, 2001

Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Detroit Free Press Pictorial from 2001

Annual celebration of diversity planned:
Detroit Free Press article from November 13, 1998




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