Has MLK's "Dream" Been Realized?- Income

Although many races in the United States have not had equal standings as far as income, there have been a couple of statistics that support the idea that the nation has grown towards the outline of Martin Luther King's dream of equality. As far as "well to do" was considered in terms of yearly income in 2003 (around $60,000), 12 percent of whites and Asians qualified, and about nine percent of blacks and hispanics qualified, which, although not entirely equal, is somewhat similar. Also, six percent of whites and blacks made an "average" income (approximately $30,000), whereas four percent of asians and eight percent of hispanics made this much. Once again, these figures are relatively similar.

The inequal distribution of wealth, on the basis of race and gender, in America, however, is far more evident. When viewing the percentage of people below the poverty level (with incomes of less than $10,000 a year) it is a striking discovery that around four percent of whites exist in this state when nine percent of hispanics, and 14 percent of blacks live in poverty. These figures are by no means close and share a resemblance to the tilt in incomes that existed during the Civil Rights Movement. As far as gender is concerned, in 2003, women had a median income of about $17,000 a year while men had a median income of approximately $30,000, which also show how America hasn't made enough reform to bring about King's dream.

In order for the races and genders to gain financial equality, there need to be changes in representatives in the federal government. Today there are many white males in Congress, which doesn't help minortities and women to get their voices heard by the government. If this change occured, legislation could be passed to help increase job availability for women and minorities even more, until Martin Luther King's vision is closer to reality. If this doesn't occur, or, at least, if it is not allowed then the context of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence don't possess all the magnificance and significance that they assume.