Bernice King
Bernice started her speech proclaiming that she was just five months old when her father delivered his “I Have A Dream” speech. She said she was probably crawling on the floor or taking a nap as he took the podium. But she made sure to acknowledge that the fight continued first with her mother Coretta Scott King and then with her. She preached a sermon her voice rising and straining as she spoke about sexual, gender, racial and economic equality. But she also acknowledged the progress we’ve made. She said 50 years ago, the President of the United States did not attend the event, but today there were three presidents in attendance. She said that in 1963, there was not a single woman on the program, but this year there were plenty. Bernice was the last person to speak, shouting “let freedom ring” shortly before the King family collectively rang the liberty bell to mark the 3’o clock hour when her father spoke all those years ago.
