Chronicle Editorial

By: 
Chronicle Staff

Remembering the dream
 
     Monday marked another observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. While the holiday is meant to celebrate the birthday and honor the accomplishments of America's most well known civil rights leader, there's still much work to do as the country strives to improve race relations.
     King's triumphs are as miraculous as they are plentiful. Through peaceful protest and a determined mindset, he strove for justice in his pursuit to end segregation. He and his followers left their mark on American history and helped end racist policies throughout the South. His legacy lives on in the 21st Century, and we can still learn a thing or two in today's unsettling times.
     Race relations have been anything but perfect during the past few years. Protests and riots have erupted over allegations of police brutality against African-Americans, and many college campuses have devolved into discord following various race-related incidents. No matter how you feel about the recent protests, it's clear many of these issues stem from institutionalized racial discrepancies. Be it police departments, universities or our own government, progress needs to be made at improving racial equality.
     We aren't incapable of bridging the gap. King led a revolution in the Fifties and Sixties that still lives on today. His dream is not dead, and it should be remembered as we put up walls of division created by racial differences. We should not judge our fellow man based on the color of his skin, but by the quality of his character. King stressed that repeatedly during the civil rights movement and it's certainly a lesson we can apply today's situation.
     Our country has come a long way since the civil rights movement, but we have a long ways to go. King's message was one of peace and love, and it's something Americans should keep in mind as the country delves further into protest and disagreement. We can all learn a thing or two about civility, compassion and mutual appreciation. It was King's dream and it's still very much alive in 2016.
 
Pandering for poll points
 
     Though temperatures hovered around zero for the past week, there was plenty of hot air to go around in Iowa.
     Presidential candidates have continued to flood our state in hopes of wooing voters prior to the Iowa Caucus. This mad dash has led to some incredible claims during the past six months as contenders vie for coveted points in the polls. It's become an obsession for some candidates, and caucus-goers should keep that in mind as they narrow their list prior to the event.
     This particular caucus season has led to some doozeys on both sides of the aisle. Campaign promises rarely translate to presidential realities, and that seems applicable to some of the elaborate proposals offered this year. Some have verged on illegal while others are just plain impractical. Though it's been fun to watch these candidates duke it out, the caucus season shouldn’t devolve into a contest to see who can propose the most ludicrous policies.
     Iowans are well known for their common sense and Midwestern values. Hopefully that will carry over Feb. 1 when caucus-goers join fellow party members at their precincts. If anything, these candidates' outlandish claims should lead to great turnout for both parties. It's clear many folks are passionate about their favorite candidate, which is certainly a good thing for the Iowa Caucus.

Hampton Chronicle

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