A historic speech of hope and a hopeful inauguration oath
By Chuck Gibson (With special thanks to the Sharpe Family: Michael, Reggie Sr. & Reggie Jr.)
LOVELAND, OH (January 20, 2025) – We celebrate the history of our nation and the historic figures/people who have shaped and guided this nation that we may be a free nation for all peoples to live with equal opportunity. Today is unique in the celebration of the hope brought from a great leader from our past and hope in a current and future leader to guide this nation to deliver on the promise of a truly free and equal nation for all people.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Historic Archive Photo)
The first of the two leaders of hope for our nation today is one to be remembered for his powerful inspiration and unequalled efforts to unify a nation divided. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His life cut far too short by an assassin’s bullet in April of 1968. He marched across America preaching a vision of great hope that all people could live together, stand side-by-side in freedom and equality. His words and actions offered promise and inspired change. There was progress, but still today decades after he was gunned down by that assassin, a divide remains.
At the time, the focus of the nation was narrowly directed at the divide between the black man in America and the white man in America. Truth is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. did not limit his vision to just black and white, he delivered a speech that lives on today recognized as his “I Have a Dream” speech. It takes us beyond black and white to include people of ALL races and ethnicities. It is a speech we, all of us, should hold special as a reminder of where we have been, where we are now, and how far we have to go to become a truly free and equal land for all peoples. Some 12 years ago, a 7-year old first grade student at Grosse Pointe Academy in Grosse Pointe, Michigan – Reginald (Reggie) Sharpe Jr. gave a recitation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s. “I Have a Dream” speech.
Reggie Sharpe Jr. will soon be 19 years old. His uncle, Michael Sharpe, a respected attorney in Detroit, Michigan has spoken of how the Sharpe family learned the value of education and respect and the lessons of vigilance to remain safe in a world where being black often brings undue injustices.
“There is not a day that goes by when I am not reminded that I am a black man in America,” said Sharpe. “We still have a long way to go.”
Below is the video link to view and hear Reggie Sharpe Jr’s. recitation of “I Have a Dream” when he was just a 7-year old first grade student. Runtime is 5 minutes.
This story began with words of hope and history and leaders past and present. There is no question, we need to pause and remember Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as one of our nation’s greatest leaders. Most importantly to remember his vision, his dream for freedom and equality. Yet, today also is a day for us to pause and recognize the hope for our nation as we transition to new leadership in the White House.
President Donald Trump (Photo Credit Getty Images)
It is Inauguration Day 2025 for President Donald Trump – 47th President of the United States. It marks the beginning of a second term as President for the man who served his first term as the 45th President from 2017-2020.
While lines remain drawn between the Republicans and the Democrats, there is no doubt the American people are seeking hope for the future of ALL people to be free and equal in a strong America. Donald Trump and his Vice President, J. D. Vance marched across America delivering a message of promise for a better America for all during a much-debated campaign.
Election day revealed voters believe in the leadership of Donald Trump to move this nation forward. Today, he’ll take the oath of office in Washington, DC.
That oath of office goes like this:
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Donald Trump: two different people, two different times in American history, both sharing a vision, a vision both deeply believe is for a better America. Today we pause, with great hope for the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King and for the vision of Donald Trump to indeed lead to a nation truly free and equal for ALL peoples.
