Big Dreams Take Time

As our country celebrates the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, I cannot help but hear Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech in the back of my mind periodically throughout the day. The sound of his voice coupled with the compelling way he articulated his dream of equity, diversity, and inclusion, to this day incites a joyful hope that one day pursuing virtues of acceptance and tolerance will be something we as human beings will work toward every day until it is almost innate.

Disturbing tragedies over the past couple of years make the dream Martin Luther King, Jr. shared some 50 years ago seem almost impossible. As an African American woman who has seen and experienced a fair share of inequality in a variety of settings—whether it be at school, in my work, in my neighborhood and in my everyday leisure activities simply based on the color of my skin – I have reason to give up on big dreams of peace. 

However, I have always believed that “sometimes bad things have to happen before good things can.” I am in no way saying that I believe good should always – or even sometimes – arise from bad. Instead, what I posit is that some dreams just take time. It is a fact that Dr. King brilliantly articulated his dream of equality decades ago; however, he had no timeline of how long it would take for his dream to materialize. He had no way of knowing the struggle and tragedies lots of people would face to make his dream a reality. 

Therefore, when I reflect on Martin Luther King, Jr. and the amazing things he said and dreamt that day on the steps of the Washington Memorial, I am reminded that we cannot and should not lose hope that peace is possible. Dreams take time. Particularly the great ones. I believe that more good than bad will come of the challenges we face – as long as we unite and pursue peace together. 

As Dr. King said, “nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.”

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Editor’s Note:

Want to learn more about how Deanna and other Zebras are working to foster a more inclusive culture within the company and communities around the world? Read these blog posts:

• Inclusion and Diversity Action Report: How We’re Walking the Walk (and Continuing to Talk)
• Zebra is Listening: How We’re Taking Action to Ensure Everyone is Seen, Heard, Valued and Respected
• Ask the Expert: What Does Inclusion and Diversity Mean in Business Today?
• Meet the Man Behind ZEAL: Zebra’s Equality Alliance
• Zebra Launches New VETZ Initiative Just in Time for Veteran’s Day