“I am Sydney ‘I have a dream’ MacFoy.” Sydney MacFoy’s words brought a spark of excitement to a room full of new American citizens in Memphis, TN the same week as celebrations of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday were taking place. MacFoy, himself, a newly naturalized citizen from Sierra Leone was one of many who took part in the ceremony as participants stated their names and home countries.

A ceremony for citizenship was held at the Benjamin L. Hooks Public Library in Memphis, TN in conjunction with special ceremonies honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. To become a naturalized citizen, one must be a permanent resident for five years. Then an application can be submitted. Procedures for the process of becoming a U.S. citizen include passing a background check to be considered a person of “good and moral character,” verifying proficiency in the English language as well as other civics tests. After all of this is completed the person takes the American citizenship oath.

Keynote speaker at the event was Keenon McCloy, director of the library system in Memphis. In her speech she alluded to the life of Dr. King as she said, “We can speak his works, we can live in his honor, or we can choose to be the dream.”

The FlagCenter.com was happy to supply the American flags for this citizenship ceremony.