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The State of the Dream 2004: Enduring Disparities in Black and White

time claim "insufficient funds" for greater equality at home. In Dr. King's words, "Poverty, urban problems and social progress generally are ignored when the guns of war become a national obsession."

Dr. King, in his last address to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference annual Convention, titled "Where Do We Go From Here," concluded his speech by saying:

"We have a task, and let us go out with a divine dissatisfaction.

Let us be dissatisfied until America will no longer have a high blood pressure of creeds and an anemia of deeds.

Let us be dissatisfied until the tragic walls that separate the outer city of wealth and comfort from the inner city of poverty and despair shall be crushed by the battering rams of the forces of justice.

Let us be dissatisfied until those who live on the outskirts of hope are brought into the metropolis of daily security.

Let us be dissatisfied until slums are cast into the junk heaps of history, and every family will live in a decent sanitary home.

Let us be dissatisfied until the dark yesterdays of segregated schools will be transformed into bright tomorrows of quality integrated education.

Let us be dissatisfied until integration is not seen as a problem but as an opportunity to participate in the beauty of diversity."

In honor of Dr. King and his ideals of democracy, justice and equality, let us be dissatisfied with the State of the Dream in 2004.

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United for a Fair Economy • Racial Wealth Divide Project 23