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Still a dream

Second place in Black History Month essay contest

By Debbie Crask, Feb. 26, 2004 issue

On the steps in Washington
In '63
King spoke of his dream
His people set free

Forty years have elapsed
But progress is slow
Laws have been passed
Yet problems still show

One-fifth of our black kids
Don't make it through school
Gang-banging and drugs
Are the ways to be cool

Cops look for a black man
When they check out a crime
And one man in three
Does prison time

We've made some small progress
In forty long years
But King would be saddened
The "check" hasn't cleared

King's dream is a great one 
Our kids, hand in hand
Awaken, America!
The time is at hand.