Dream Coalition 8-28
Join the movement fighting for a color-blind society and for America's founding principles
Most of us now recognize that the fight over critical race theory in our schools is just one aspect of the broader culture war that is being waged by woke progressives against freedom of expression, against meritocracy and against the founding principles of our country. While we can, and have been winning battles in school boards and state legislatures this summer, I strongly believe that we cannot win the broader culture war unless the fight against the woke religion becomes an overwhelming, nonpartisan and national movement, many millions of Americans strong.
In my last newsletter (sorry it’s been a while!), I proposed that August 28th, the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, launch such a movement. As a statement of the beliefs for which we must fight, and as a rallying cry, I authored a letter, which follows. I have joined a new organization, the Institute for Liberal Values, which is sponsoring the letter, and we have partnered with Free Black Thought, which is publishing it. We have gathered the signatures of prominent activists, academics, intellectuals, journalists and concerned citizens, and now we invite all Americans, and friends of America, to join what we are calling, the Dream Coalition.
If you are willing to stand up and add your name to the fight for a color-blind society and for America's founding principles, then please sign the letter and join the Dream Coalition. I also invite you to register for a free livestream event on August 28th for a discussion of the Dream Coalition and a dialogue on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dear Fellow Americans,
On August 28, 1963, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired America to dream. In one of the great speeches of history, King shared his vision of a country united by its founding principles, its principles applicable to all its citizens, its citizens judged on their individual virtues. As King himself noted, his dream was a reaffirmation of the American Dream, the conviction that freedom begets opportunity and opportunity begets prosperity.
Today, both King’s dream and the American Dream are under assault by a set of ideologies obsessed with race, hostile to merit, contemptuous of our country’s founding ideals, and destructive to our common humanity. A small but vocal minority have employed these illiberal and divisive ideologies to capture our schools and universities, coopt our workplaces, and sway our government. Amplified by the undemocratic power of social media, and masters of intimidation, these ideologues have succeeded in bullying the majority of Americans into silence. And with the acquiescence of silence, they have set us on the path to extinguishing King’s dream.
On Saturday, August 28, 2021, on the anniversary of King’s majestic speech, we come together as a coalition of Americans to renew and rekindle these dreams. While we differ in background and upbringing, and vary in political affiliation and religious beliefs, we share a common sentiment and resolve. We share an unwillingness to stay silent. We share a commitment to fight for free expression. We share a refusal to see King’s dream extinguished.
We share these dreams.
We share the dream of preserving the values embedded in our country’s founding documents and animating the original civil rights movement, and we reject the belief that these values are inherently racist or are the product of racism.
We share the dream of protecting and defending the principles of free speech necessary for an open and democratic society, and we reject the view that the avoidance of individual discomfort outweighs the overwhelming benefit to society of diversity of thought.
We share the dream that all Americans be evaluated solely by their individual talents, efforts, virtue and character, and we reject the notion that Americans be segregated into identity groups or judged because of their placement into any such group.
We share the dream of a fair and prosperous society, and we reject the idea that merit in education or in the workplace should be sacrificed for outcomes defined by racial identification or by any other group affiliation.
We share the dream that our children be taught the moral complexities of history and that they and their teachers be encouraged to speak openly and freely in the classroom, and we reject the climate of indoctrination, intimidation and fear that has become pervasive throughout our public and private education system.
We share the dream that respectful engagement and civil debate on difficult issues can be restored, and we reject the atmosphere of tribalism and polarization promoted by our political parties and by traditional and social media.
We share the dream that the political, business, and educational leaders of our country will regain their courage, reclaim their virtue, and rediscover their civic duties, and we reject the cowardice that has allowed and encouraged a censorious culture to take root.
On August 28, 1963, King also inspired America to act. With the “fierce urgency of now” we share one last dream.
We share the dream that on August 28, 2021, we will stand together in unity and a new movement will be birthed. With the spirit of kinship fundamental to the original civil rights movement, we will reaffirm and reignite the thoroughly American dreams of Martin Luther King.
#DreamCoalition828
Sign and Share the Dream Coalition Letter
Please visit DreamCoalition828.com to sign the letter. I would also appreciate your support in sharing the letter via email and social media and Tweeting out that you signed the letter. Here is a sample Tweet:
I am a proud signatory of the Dream Coalition letter supporting the vision of MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech and I stand up to fight for a color-blind society and for America’s founding principles. Please join me in signing the letter at: https://dreamcoalition828.com/letter/
Join the livestream event on 8-28
As I mentioned above, I am participating in a livestream panel discussion on Saturday 8-28 at 2:00pm ET, co-sponsored by the Institute for Liberal Values (ILV) and Free Black Thought (FBT). You can register on the Dream Coalition 8.28 site. The event is titled, Woke or Still Dreaming? A Dialogue on King’s “I Have a Dream” Speech, Social Justice Ideology, and the Future of Liberalism. Join me, Braver Angels’ John Wood Jr., FBT’s Erec Smith, and other esteemed panelists and signatories as we discuss the Dream Coalition and share our own respective views of Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream, his legacy, and the challenges facing our country.
Getting in touch
As always I welcome your comments, suggestions and thoughts. You can reach out through the website: speakupforeducation.org or email me at andrew@speakupforeducation.org.
You can also follow me on Twitter.
Please also share this newsletter and tell your friends!