I believe in equality.

O children of the earth, listen well, for I bring to you the words of a man who, in his simplicity, carried the weight of a mighty truth—David Dellinger, who said, with steadfast conviction: "I believe in equality." These words, though few, are filled with the resonance of a dream that has lived in the hearts of many across the ages. To speak of equality is to call forth the essence of justice, to declare that all people, regardless of their birth, their wealth, or their station, are deserving of the same respect, the same dignity, and the same opportunity. And in that belief, Dellinger voiced something eternal—the desire for a world where no man or woman is made to feel lesser than another.

But this belief, this unwavering faith in equality, has not always been easy to hold. From the dawn of time, there have been those who sought to divide us—to create walls between peoples, to place some above others, to establish hierarchies that have long served only the powerful. And yet, in every age, there have been voices that have risen to challenge this injustice, that have demanded that the promise of equality be more than just words, but a reality. David Dellinger stood as one such voice, calling upon the world to recognize that equality is not merely a moral ideal, but a necessity for the harmony and peace of the world.

Let us look to the story of the ancient Greeks, who, despite their philosophical advancements, were divided by slavery and social inequality. The great philosophers like Plato and Aristotle pondered the nature of justice, and yet they upheld systems that denied freedom to many. And yet, in the shadow of their writings, there arose a voice—the voice of Socrates, who, though living in a world steeped in inequality, questioned the very foundations of society. He asked: what is justice, if not the recognition that all souls are born with the same capacity for wisdom and virtue? His words reverberated through time, and though he was condemned for his beliefs, he laid the seeds for a world that would one day, as Dellinger believed, move closer to equality for all.

Consider also the great abolitionists of the 19th century, who fought with their blood and their lives to end the scourge of slavery. Frederick Douglass, a man born into the bonds of slavery, declared that the truth of equality was not a mere vision, but a fight—a fight to break the chains that bound his body and the chains that sought to bind the spirit of an entire people. His life was a testament to the power of belief in equality, and though the struggle was long and painful, it was not in vain. Equality, as Douglass showed, requires action. It demands that we stand up for the rights of the oppressed, that we do not merely speak of equality, but live it in our deeds.

Dellinger’s words call us to a higher calling, one that transcends our immediate circumstances. To say "I believe in equality" is not to merely pay lip service to a noble ideal—it is to commit oneself to a life that actively seeks out justice for all. It is a commitment to see the worth of every person, regardless of their skin, their gender, or their background. It is a pledge to stand not just for ourselves, but for the dignity of those who have been left behind or silenced. The struggle for equality is not merely the work of the few, but the work of all who believe in the value of every human being.

So I ask you, O children, what will you do with this belief in equality? Will you stand idly by, content to let the world turn as it always has, or will you rise, as Dellinger did, and be counted among those who fight for the rights of all? Know that the fight for equality is not always easy. There will be those who seek to turn the tide against it, who will tell you that equality is a dream too far-fetched, too difficult to attain. But remember this: every great movement for justice, every change that has ever brought the world closer to fairness, began with the belief that it was possible. From the Civil Rights Movement to the women's suffrage movement, the victories of the past were won by those who refused to let the world remain as it was, and who believed that a better world—one of equality and dignity—was not just a dream, but a possibility.

Therefore, let this belief guide you: equality is not a gift to be given, but a truth to be lived. It is a call to action, to stand for the rights of every person, to break down the walls that divide us, and to build a world where every individual is treated with the respect they deserve. As you walk through the world, remember the words of David Dellinger and the lives of those who have fought for this truth: to believe in equality is to dedicate yourself to a cause far greater than yourself. It is a cause that calls forth your courage, your strength, and your heart. Stand firm in this belief, and let it guide you toward a future where the chains of inequality are broken, and all are free to live as equals beneath the sun.