On August 28, 1963, more than 250,000 people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It was a turning point in the moral struggle and journey toward greater racial and economic justice in the United States. Civil rights, religious, and labor leaders helped organize the march, calling for an end to segregation and racial discrimination, as well as advocating for fair wages and economic justice, voting rights, education, and long-overdue civil rights protections. At the end of the march, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. challenged America, saying “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’”
Sixty years later we continue to face fundamental moral challenges in overcoming racism and honoring “a promise that all… would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” This in-person and online dialogue examined what more needs to be done to advance freedom, equality, and justice for all. How are we keeping Dr. King’s dream alive? And where are we falling short? What are the responsibilities of Catholics and other people of faith to make this dream a reality?
The participants explored questions such as:
- What have we learned and where have we made progress in the 60 years since the March on Washington? Where have we not?
- What are key moral imperatives and policy priorities that advance racial and economic justice now?
- What is the connection between the civil rights and economic justice agendas from 60 years ago and those agendas now?
- Faith communities were a major part of the March on Washington. What are the continuing responsibilities of leaders and people of faith to advance freedom, equality, and justice for all?
- How do we engage and mobilize the broader U.S. community to address racism, economic justice, access to education, mass incarceration, and housing disparities?
John Carr, founder of the Initiative, moderated the conversation. John served as the director of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for over 20 years.
Resources
View articles, statements, and other resources for this dialogue.
