Living the Dream

Today we celebrate the birth of Martin Luther King. Jr. (actually January 15) and commemorate his legacy of peaceful activism. The changes Dr. King dreamed of have often seemed as slow-flowing as molasses, but in this election year, there are unmistakable signs of progress. After all, a black man and a white woman are frontrunners for the Democratic presidential race, and through a rose-colored lens, at least some of us are living that Sesame Street-esque existence of integrated harmony. So we do have something to celebrate on this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, as parades pass through Liberty City and Miami Gardens.

Liberty City’s annual parade begins at 10 a.m. at 10th Avenue, travels along NW 54th Street, and culminates in a festival at Martin Luther King Jr. Park. There’ll be a children’s center, live music, and, of course, lots of delicious food for sale. Call 305-835-2464. In Carol City Park (3201 NW 184th St., Miami Gardens), the fourth annual MLK celebration has been dubbed “Unity in the Community,” and festivities will be taking place from noon to 6 p.m. There will be a parade of flags, performance poetry, and an oratorical contest. Visit www.miamigardensmlk.com for event details.
Mon., Jan. 21, 2008