I chose to use parts of the Martin Luther King Jr. “I Have a Dream” speech in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day today, and because it reminds me and all of us what we were fighting against back then and still are today.
The discrimination we face today is racism and the stigma of mental illness. Stigma is just a softer, kinder and more polite word used for discrimination of mental illness. The mental illness stigma we are facing today is very unjust and should be looked at and treated like the current civil rights movement in the United States and around the world.
I say to you today, though even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream.
It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold the truths to be self-evident, that all men and women are created equal.”
I have a dream that one day in every state and in every country the magnitude of the stigma of mental illness, will be transformed into a world free of all the injustice and discrimination felt and suffered by the one in four people living with mental illness.
I have a dream that my three beautiful children will one day live in a nation where they will never have to be embarrassed or ashamed of telling people that their mother has bipolar disorder.
I have a dream that one day I will live in a nation where I will never again be judged negatively because I have bipolar disorder, but I will be judged instead by the content of my character.
I have a dream that one day I will live in a nation that when I tell people I have bipolar disorder they will not elicit a negative reaction.
I have a dream that one day I will live in a nation that I will never be fired from my teaching position by a School District, because I have bipolar disorder.
I have a dream that one day I will live in a nation…
that mental illness is not looked at by some people as a mark of disgrace that sets a person apart,
that all people with a mental illness will never feel ashamed of who they are because they have a mental illness,
that I will not be labelled by my bipolar disorder and seen as part of a stereotyped group,
that all people with a mental illness will not be secluded or discriminated against in their schools, social circles or at their workplace,
that mental illness will be treated and looked at the same way as all other illnesses and physical illnesses,
that more money will be used on research for mental illness,
that all people with mental illness will receive better medical care at home, clinics and hospitals,
that there will be no more suicides caused by mental illness or for any other reasons.
I have a dream that I will live in a nation
that there will be
NO MORE
MENTAL ILLNESS STIGMA
OR RACISM
We all need to listen, study and learn the words of this brilliant speech by one of the most brilliant and influential people in the world. Thank you Martin Luther King, Jr. for everything you did and fought for in our country. I love you.
RIP Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. “I Have a Dream” Speech
“I Have a Dream” is a public speech delivered by American civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963, in which he calls for an end to racism in the United States and called for civil and economic rights.”
“I Have a Dream …” Copyright 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. Speech by the Rev. Martin Luther King At the “March on Washington”
Copyright © By Susan Walz and myloudbipolarwhispers.com – All written content and personal artwork is © myloudbipolarwhispers.com and Susan Walz. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author/owner/artist is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to My Loud Bipolar Whispers and/or Susan Walz with appropriate and specific directions to the original content. (With the exception of the Martin Luther King, Jr. video and speech and any parts related to his brilliant speech).
My Loud Whispers of Hope 
beautiful! I have the same dream!
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Thank you. You are so awesome. We dream alike. I hope your days overflow with blessings. You are a beautiful young lady. Love ya, Sue
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I’m gushing here Sue 🙂 thank you so much love you too girl
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Great post. His words apply so well to mental health stigma.
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Thank you. I am glad you liked my post. I love his words and agree with you that they totally fit with stigma and the discrimination we face today due to mental illness stigma. Blessings, Sue
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Thank you so much for nominating me. I am very happy, honored and humbled to be nominated by you. I am working on finishing up my post for my nomination and I have linked you to my post. I hope to get the post out today. Have a happy, healthy and fabulous day. Hugs, Sue
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