A half-century ago, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. galvanized a nation with his audacious, spellbinding “I have a dream” speech.

Much has changed in 50 years. Much still needs to change.

King’s words still matter today. But what is most moving is his passion. King moved away from his prepared speech on that August day in 1963, and in front of a throng of 250,000 and a live television audience, he began speaking from the heart.

His voice rising and quavering with emotion, he delivered a message of hope with such conviction that it still inspires to this day.

His passion moved others to act. And 50 years later, progress has been real. We have a black president, elected twice. In Cincinnati, we have had black mayors, a black police chief, black city managers and black coaches of our major league teams.

But progress is more than checking off boxes on a to-do list. The March on Washington was a march for “jobs and freedom” and they are still at risk today, especially for blacks, Latinos and the working poor. …

The protection of voting rights that King successfully fought for is eroding. …

Like King, we must have the hopefulness to dream and the courage to act.

The Cincinnati Enquirer