Unrealized Promises of Voting, Reproductive Rights, and Equality Linger 60 Years After MLK’s Historic Speech
On the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic I have a dream speech, a collective gathering titled She Speaks shed light on unfulfilled promises and persisting battles for progress. This event, held at the Lincoln Memorial and virtually attended by women leaders nationwide, aimed to draw attention to vital issues that continue to shape our society, including voting and reproductive rights, fair wages, and poverty eradication.
The fight for voting and reproductive rights remains an ongoing struggle, with several states witnessing attacks on these fundamental freedoms. Recent Supreme Court decisions have jeopardized these rights, such as the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade. Ashley Marshall, the cofounder and leader of civil-rights organization Forward Justice, emphasized that the full protection and expansion of voting rights, alongside the issue of bodily autonomy for women, lie at the heart of the ongoing battle for justice.
Kelly Brown Douglas, a theologian and author, echoed the words of Martin Luther King Jr. himself, emphasizing the urgency of now in combating sexism, racism, and homophobia. She emphasized the need to confront these injustices head-on, rather than passively observing the erosion of LGBTQ rights and censorship through book bans. According to her, standing by silently while these issues persist is untenable.
The long-standing struggle for living wages and poverty alleviation also persists, as evident in the numerous strikes taking place across the nation. Racial and gender disparities continue to wield their damaging effects. Although the Black poverty rate has decreased from 51% in 1963 to 20% in 2021, it still stands at two and a half times the poverty rate experienced by white Americans.
Mary Kay Henry, the first female president of the Service Employees International Union, stressed the importance of uniting the fights for racial and economic justice. She called for greater demands for good jobs and freedom while underscoring the necessity of strong unions.
The She Speaks gathering highlighted the lack of female voices in the original March on Washington. Reverend William Barber, a theologian and co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, acknowledged this disparity and emphasized the need to remember the contributions of women. Additionally, Barber denounced the recent tragic shooting at a Dollar General store in Florida where a white man’s racist writings allegedly fueled the violence. He highlighted how politicians and leaders who propagate racism and discrimination are responsible for perpetuating such atrocities.
While progress has been made over the past six decades, the unfulfilled promises of voting rights, reproductive rights, and equality continue to haunt our nation. The She Speaks event served as a rallying cry for justice, urging individuals to address these issues head-on, confront inequalities, and strive for a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
