MLK Jr.’s Dream Today

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. 

Dr. King’s speech was only to be four minutes, but gospel singer Mahalia Jackson shouted for King to “share the dream,” and he did. For 17 minutes, he shared the dream. 

Dr. King shared a dream of America living its founding creed: of descendants of slaves and descendants of slaveholders sitting together as brothers, of states long defined by injustice transformed into places of freedom, and, in what may be the best measure of progress in race relations, a future in which his children would be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.  

Dr. King’s dream is closer to reality than ever, but it’s also threatened. Dismissal of racism, on one hand, challenges the dream’s validity. On the other hand, theories that elevate the color of skin above anything else cripple the dream’s reality.  

In grounding his dream in Scripture, King shows us the way forward. With biblical references, imagery, and mandates, King guides us on a path to pursue in this cultural moment. There’s really no other way forward.

Copyright 2025 by the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. Reprinted from BreakPoint.org with permission.

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Recapping the First Week of the 2023 Legislature

Legislation, Legislature
Lawmakers hear testimony in support of H.C.R. 1005 declaring January 16, 2023, as Religious Freedom Day in Arkansas.

The Arkansas Legislature is wrapping up its first week of the 2023 session in Little Rock.

Lawmakers have filed several measures as the session gets underway.

Below is a quick look back at the week.

  • On Monday Sen. Gary Stubblefield (R – Branch) and Rep. Mary Bentley (R – Perryville) filed S.B. 43 prohibiting adult performances — including drag performances — on public property or in view of children.
  • Rep. Julie Mayberry (R – Hensley) and Sen. Missy Irvin (R – Mountain View) filed H.B. 1098 permitting Safe Haven Baby Boxes at volunteer fire stations in Arkansas.
  • Rep. Mary Bentley (R – Perryville) and Sen. Gary Stubblefield (R – Branch) filed H.C.R. 1005 declaring January 16, 2023, “Religious Freedom Day” in Arkansas.

Below is a breakdown of legislation filed so far this year.

Good Bills Filed

S.B. 43 (Decency): This good bill by Sen. Gary Stubblefield (R – Branch) and Rep. Mary Bentley (R – Perryville) prohibits drag performances on public property or in view of children. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1098 (Pro-Life): This good bill by Rep. Julie Mayberry (R – Hensley) and Sen. Missy Irvin (R – Mountain View) permits Safe Haven Baby Boxes at volunteer fire stations in Arkansas. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1006 (Abortion): This good bill by Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R — Knoxville) would require an employer that covers abortions or travel expenses related to abortions to also provide 16 weeks of paid maternity leave to employees in Arkansas. Read The Bill Here.

H.C.R. 1005 (Religious Freedom): This good measure by Rep. Mary Bentley (R – Perryville) and Sen. Gary Stubblefield (R – Branch) declares January 16, 2023, “Religious Freedom Day” in Arkansas. Read The Measure Here.

S.B. 4 (National Security): This good bill by Sen. Gary Stubblefield (R — Branch) and Rep. Mary Bentley (R — Perryville) restricts access to TikTok on computers, tablets, phones, and other devices owned by the State of Arkansas. Read The Bill Here.

Bad Bills Filed

H.B. 1024 (Public Drinking): This bill by Rep. David Ray (R – Maumelle) and Sen. Matt McKee (R – Dist. 6) would let cities and towns that do not collect advertising and promotion taxes on hotels and restaurants establish entertainment districts where public drinking is legal. This would let communities authorize public drinking in entertainment districts even if the community does not cater toward hospitality and tourism. That has the potential to expand public drinking in Arkansas. Read The Bill Here.

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Bill Would Expand Municipalities Able to Authorize Public Drinking

Alcohol, Public Drinking,

The state legislature is set to consider a bill that could expand public drinking in “entertainment districts” across Arkansas.

Act 812 of 2019 lets cities and towns create “entertainment districts” where alcohol can be carried and consumed publicly on streets and sidewalks.

Under Act 812, cities and towns cannot establish a public drinking area unless the community collects advertising and promotion taxes on hotels, motels, restaurants, and similar businesses.

The tax provision helps make sure that communities establish “entertainment districts” in areas where the hospitality and tourism industry is present.

H.B. 1024 by Rep. David Ray (R – Maumelle) and Sen. Matt McKee (R – Dist. 6) eliminates the provision in Arkansas that restricts public drinking to communities that collect advertising and promotion taxes on hotels and restaurants.

Under this bill, communities could authorize public drinking in entertainment districts even if the community does not cater toward hospitality and tourism.

That has the potential to expand public drinking in Arkansas.

As we have said time and time again, public drinking is a scourge on the community.

It doesn’t attract new businesses or bolster the economy.

Public drinking raises serious concerns about drunk driving and public safety.

It hurts neighborhoods and families.

Arkansans ought to stay away from anything that would expand public drinking in their communities.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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