In the white community , the path to a more perfect union means acknowledging that what ails the African - American community does not just exist in the minds of black people ; that the legacy of discrimination - and current incidents of discrimination , while less overt than in the past - are real and must be addressed . Not just with words , but with deeds - by investing in our schools and our communities ; by enforcing our civil rights laws and ensuring fairness in our criminal justice system ; by providing this generation with ladders of opportunity that were unavailable for previous generations . It requires all Americans to realize that your dreams do not have to come at the expense of my dreams ; that investing in the health , welfare and education of black and brown and white children will ultimately help all of America prosper .