Are We Still Honoring the Dream?

Every now and then, I sit and wonder if my ancestors are proud of me. Am I doing enough? Have I honored their sacrifices? Their dreams? It’s a weighty question, but it’s necessary. Life has a way of distracting us, pulling us into the hustle and bustle, making us forget to stop and think about what truly matters: our purpose.

Today, as we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I find myself reflecting on his dream and whether we’re still keeping it alive. Dr. King fought for unity, equality, and love, but when I look around, I can’t help but feel disheartened. The struggle is still so real. We’re still fighting for basic respect, safety, and dignity. And sometimes it feels like we’re right where we started, spinning our wheels in the same mud.

But life doesn’t stop. It keeps moving, whether we’re ready or not. So the question is, are we going to be part of the change, part of the problem, or just let life pass us by?

One thing I’ve learned about life is this: it will go on. Whether you’re thriving or struggling, happy or heartbroken, life doesn’t wait. And in that, we have a choice. Dr. King’s dream was about perseverance—about believing that change is possible, even when it feels impossible. It’s about taking small steps forward, every single day, no matter how discouraged we feel.

But today, I want to challenge us. Specifically, I want to challenge Black women in 2025.

It’s hard out here being Black. It’s hard being a Black man, and it’s hard being a Black woman. I can’t speak to the struggle of Black men, but I know the weight of being a Black woman. And one thing I’ve noticed, one thing that pains me, is how often we tear each other down instead of building each other up.

We compete with one another. We hate on one another. We break the girl code and fail to be the “girl’s girls” we so desperately need. And it hurts. It’s disheartening. It seems like everywhere I turn—especially on social media—there’s this unspoken battle between Black men and women. The energy feels heavy, divisive, and toxic.

So, because I can’t speak to the men right now, I’m going to speak to my sisters:

Let’s be better to each other.

Let’s put out more love for one another than hate. Let’s stop the unnecessary competition, the side-eyes, and the shade. Let’s honor the struggle we all know too well by showing one another grace, respect, and love. No one knows our journey like we do. No one knows our pain, our fears, our joys, and our triumphs like another Black woman. So why are we so quick to turn against each other?

Until we figure this out—until we mend whatever has been broken between Black men and women—let’s at least be there for each other. We need each other. And if we want to keep Dr. King’s dream alive, it starts with love.

So here’s my challenge to Black women in 2025: love on each other. Show up for your sisters. Choose collaboration over competition, compassion over criticism, and grace over grudges. We’re already climbing uphill in this world, so let’s stop making the climb harder for each other.

Dr. King’s dream wasn’t just about civil rights—it was about the way we treat one another. It was about love, community, and hope. And while we may not have figured it all out yet, we can honor his dream by starting with ourselves.

So today, tomorrow, and every day forward, I challenge us to live with purpose, to love with intention, and to carry the dream forward in our actions. The world may not change overnight, but if we change how we treat each other, we’ll be one step closer to the world Dr. King envisioned.

Let’s not let his dream go to waste.

Does this reflect your vision? Would you like to add or refine anything further?