My thoughts of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. instantly create reenactments of his famous speech ?I Have a Dream?. I am the person in his dream. What does his legacy mean to me? Equality, justice and freedom. It was his message that universally touched something deep within our world. It was his words that taught and continue to teach us about the human race and the effect of fairness on society. It was his words ?Stride Toward Freedom? that made me realise the opportunities I take for granted in my everyday life.

Until this day I have never thought about the freedom that I possess. I am a young black Bermudian male who attends private school and enjoys the luxuries of life. I was not born into a generation where the injustices of unequal political or economic systems have been experienced. I have never been told by anyone that I cannot eat at a certain restaurant, watch a movie in a particular theatre, or drink out of a specific water fountain. I have never been denied access to public areas, or told that I cannot rent a room in a hotel because of the colour of my skin. I have never experienced the struggles that Dr. King and my ancestors lived through.

But through his commitment, struggle and life, I live in a country where I am not judged less ?by the colour of my skin but by the content of my character?. Dr. King hoped that one day we would be able ?To work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that one day we will be free?. This was his dream.

I am that black boy who holds hands with little white boys as brothers. I am that little black boy who now attends a school which was once segregated without a head being turned. I am living his dream.

Dr. King was a rare individual who took a non-violent approach against the ills that had affected our people. Dr. King was a powerful speaker who travelled millions of miles and spoke thousands of times, appearing wherever there was injustice. He planned the drives in Alabama for the registration of blacks so that they could vote; he was awarded five honourary degrees; he was named Man of the Year by Time magazine; he was the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Dr. King became not only the representative of American blacks but also a worldwide hero.

Without his accomplishments, there is a possibility that I would not be allowed to cast my vote in Bermuda?s elections, to attend a private school or to swim for Bermuda?s National Swim Team. His legacy has allowed me to live his dream.

I am blessed by God with the talent to participate in a sport mainly dominated by whites. I have taken the opportunity to excel in swimming. I have the freedom to race and to train internationally. Selfishly, the thought of not training with or not racing against whites never crossed my mind. If it was not for our civil rights leaders pursing change, my life would be very different today. My God-given talent would have gone unnoticed.

Dr. King was a passionate, honest and wise man with a sense of purpose. He was a man with a mission, a powerful speaker whose words inspired and uplifted his audiences. All who witnessed him speak took great pride in their own self worth, he gave them hope that they could make a difference. Dr. King?s legacy has influenced me to dream. I have dreamed to ?the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire?, to ?the mighty mountains of New York? and even to ?the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado? to find my voice, my gift to influence people?s lives.

I, Darren Woods, would like to be the first black male Bermudian swimmer to medal in the Olympic Games. By winning a medal I could give hope to other young black Bermudian athletes and those from all around the world. I will show them that they too can achieve their goals and make a difference. I hope his words and his message can continue to influence others to dream as well.

Dr. King lost his life fighting for my equal rights.

I am a part of his dream and I will uphold and continue his dream. I pay homage to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy.

Thank you, Dr. King.

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