Dear Dr. King,

We've been trying. We really have. We all learn about you and know what you stood for and what you did for the fight against racism and inequality. From the burning buses of the Freedom Riders to the indescribable marches on Washington and Selma. From behind the desk of the President himself, to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and all the way down to the streets of Montgomery, Alabama. Your dream spread across this country like a wildfire, igniting a fight that would spring forth two of the greatest bills ever signed into law by a United States President. Yet we know that you envisioned the movement continuing on past those fateful acts of 1964 and 1965. Carrying on for generations and generations until all could stand proudly under the American flag and call themselves equal.

We've been trying. For years after your passing, movements and protests have pleaded with the government as well as society at large to change its ways. To combat and fight back against the racism and prejudice that still exists prominently within our nation today. Though we have made strides, in voting and job opportunity, we have taken setbacks as well. Violence has sprung forth in waves against not only the African American community, but against other communities as well across our land. From the shocking footage of Rodney King's beating at the hands of police, to the slaughter of nine innocent lives in a Charleston church, and to the repeat shootings of too many young unarmed African Americans at the hands of police officers. We know that your way of protest was not one of violence, but rather one of peace in the face of immense hatred and violence. At times though, this seems impossible. Sometimes, we have given into this violent urge and responded with fire in the face of fire.

We've been trying. We know about your success with the government. How you were able to persuade the mightiest officials in the land with your peaceful marches and sit-ins throughout an onslaught of negativity as well as violent rebukes. We know how you were able to push and succeed in getting national laws passed that aided in the lives of so many within your community and all around our great nation. Today, we wait in angst as to what our government will do. The man who will shortly take over as Commander in Chief is not a pious man, nor is he an understanding man, but instead he is a man who has thrown around racist language like it is a punchline. Rather than fight for the lowly and the oppressed, he only uses the right words to hide a lifetime of public seclusion as well as reluctance to become involved in the affairs of the everyday man. This man will take office Friday. We know that it will be an uphill battle, but we also know that you fought an uphill battle and were not defeated.

We've been trying. Though it sounds gloomy and depressing, there have been great improvements made since we last met. Schools systems have improved, aid to those in need has become easier to obtain, and those in the African American, as well as other communities of color, are finding and succeeding at jobs with which they never could have before. We have come a long way since your day, but we know that there is still work to be done. We know that there is still a job that needs to be completed. So this week, as we celebrate your birthday and your holiday, we turn to you and all your work. All of your selfless, tireless, and inspiring work as a guide for us moving into this new year of 2017. We miss you Dr. King, but we promise that we're trying our very hardest to make your dream a reality.

Sincerely,

The American People