Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, on Jan. 16, delivered a powerful message at the 19th A shared Dream Foundation’s tribute in partnership with Senator Kevin Parker, to honor late civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. challenging everyone to live the dream of the freedom fighter.

“It’s my honor and my privilege to be here with you as we commemorate the life of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King and his legacy,” said Clarke.

She remarked about the dream Dr. King had from a mountain top, looking over to see the promised land of justice, and applauded his quote, that said, “we should be judged by the content of our character and not the color of our skin,” adding, “as a community “we feel obligated to come together on this very special holiday, the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, so let me reflect and call this the King paradox.

“You all sent me to Washington DC to represent you in the United States House of Representatives, and I proudly represent you in New York’s 9th Congressional District.

“I call Washington DC the belly of the beast. It is the epitome of what we read about in the Bible when we hear about spiritual wickedness in high places. I have seen it up close and personal and I’m bringing that to you today because I think it is important that we put things in perspective. While it is wonderful that we come together to commemorate the life, the times, the words, and the actions of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, we have got to ask ourselves, how we impart those words into the next generation. Are they just words or are they action.

“I have been able to celebrate the “brilliant brother from Brooklyn, Hakeem Jeffries a black man, becoming the first person of color leading a major party in the United States of America,” she said, acknowledging the mayor, police commissioner, attorney general, the district attorney, and recognized Council Member Rita Joseph in the audience, noting, “this is what Dr. King was talking about, when he said, we should not be judged by not the color of our skin, but the content of our character. We’ve been able to manifest that to a certain degree.”

“However, I see the health disparities and so many of my beloved community, lose their lives in the pandemic because of inadequate access to healthcare.”

Clarke spoke passionately about her community, where people she grew up with, today cannot afford an apartment in the building next to where they used to live.

“When I think about all the things that Dr. King put his life literally on the line for, the battles for voting rights, for civil rights, for criminal justice reform, I know that we are living in a paradox, so I want to encourage you today. Don’t let this gathering be just a few good moments.

“I think about the children who get access to handguns. I think about the families that are challenged with mental health distress and don’t know where to go, and I asked myself can’t we as a community stand together in unity to address these issues.”

Clarke said politicians are applauded when elected. But argues that the real power must come from the motivation, and the fact that Dr. King gave up his life for access to the ballot box.

“You can’t say I’m living the dream, and on Election Day, I don’t have the time,” she said, and encouraged the community to empower themselves.

“I am happy that we have gathered. I’ve been at different events throughout our city and it’s wonderful to see that our people are coming together to commemorate the prophet. But for the prophecy to come true, it takes you, the legacy holders, the dream keepers, to manifest this on every level.”

“Pray for me and I’ll pray for you. Washington DC is a very toxic place these days, but you all sent me there to represent you and I come home to detox and get back into the fight. If you hear about a sister from Flatbush acting up in Washington it is me,” mused Clarke.