for Jeanne
These are the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a letter from a Birmingham jail. It doesn't matter in which Birmingham jail he sat, nor does it matter that it happened over 40 years ago. His cell may as well have been metaphysical and trancendant through all time. These words give credence to those that struggle for their inalienable rights when confronted with the statement from authority, "Wait, we're working on it. We have to prepare for it. Change doesn't happen overnight. You're being unreasonable. These things take time."
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sat there alone in a cell while those that should have helped, admonished him. They said he was unreasonable for trying to move too quickly, for making things unpleasent, for stirring up trouble.
To those more fearful than he, he said, the time for justice is always NOW. The time for change is always NOW. I hope not for justice in the past. I have a dream, but I will not wait for the future to receive my God given rights. I will pursue them in the present, because I know of no other cause than the cause of justice.