"I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation."
No truer words were ever spoken. This image, this day, this demonstration has yet to be duplicated in the history of our nation. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired a multitude of people to join together and speak in one voice for the freedom that is deserved by each and every one of us. He and so many others like him, fought for a generation of people that are so undeniably unaware that it almost makes his fight, his struggle, and his death in vain. We must transform this generation's blissful ignorance into a persistence to validate the struggle of our ancestors. To validate the leaders. To validate the fight. To validate the message. To validate the dream.
So many lives were given in the Civil Rights movement so that unjust laws and racism would be a distant memory for their children and a part of history for their children's children. They fought for the unforeseen opportunities of a generation to become a strong force and leave an indelible mark on the very fabric of this country. They fought in great faith that the fight was worth it for future generations. FAITH.
We must all make a promise to ourselves and to our children to leave the world a little better than we found it. The only way to do that is to work towards a goal of betterment. Now, how you choose to indulge in achieving this goal is as individual as a fingerprint. I, personally, believe in mentoring youth. I truly believe this is my calling. My personality and sense of self leads me to become involved in helping youth achieve theirs. With a strong personality and self esteem, comes a confidence that allows a wider net to be cast and more opportunities for greatness arise. But no matter what your contribution is, just make sure you make one. Everyone is not going to have the appeal and the enormous reach of Dr. King, but it's about doing what YOU can do and not in comparison to someone else. BETTERMENT.
I see the state of the world today and wonder if it would just be easier to wipe the slate clean and start over. Is there too much chaos and negativity to overcome? Why does racism still exist so long after slaves were freed? Why is negative propaganda manifesting itself in more places than positive reinforcement? Left, right, front and back there are obstacles to unity, detours from the narrow path of justice, blockages on the bloodlines of stability, and variations in the truths of society. So many deterrents, those that are fighting for this nation can't seem to be seen or heard through it all. So where do we go from here? Where do we find the courage and bravery to continue to stand for what seems like a distant priority for today's society? Where do we go? We go to GOD. For throughout all the darkness of injustice - God is light. Throughout all the deeply rooted hatred - God is love. Throughout all the misconstrued intentions - God is understanding. And throughout the constant examples of negativity and chaos - God is good and God is calm. God was the key during the Civil Rights struggle and God is the key today! GOD.
Our struggle is no less than theirs. Our struggle has traded water hoses and dogs, for the Tea Party and nepotism. The difference is our approach. Our stance. Our commitment to the cause. We are separate. Quiet. Wavering. Uncommitted. Tepid. We want a change, but we aren't willing to put anything on the line for it. Where are our leaders? Where is our conviction? What are we leaving our children to inherit? Why are we not putting our best foot forward? We are not raising soldiers to fight in our battle. We are raising a lazy, unaffected, technology forward generation of pants sagging tweeters, that would rather watch reruns of iCarly than go to a MLK breakfast. Is this true for all of this generation? No. But it is true of most. They have no idea of the significance of the March on Washington and what it meant for this country and African Americans. So why would they leave the comforts of their rooms to celebrate, acknowledge, and participate in this day? SMH.
So you ask, what happens after the morning after you wake up from the Dream - you try your best to wake up those around you. The Dream is long from being fulfilled. Recognize that the DREAM IS LONG FROM BEING FULFILLED. Dr. King could never have imagined that only 40 years after his death, a black president was elected. But the opportunity is for what he fought and inevitably gave his life. Let us do our best to validate the Dream. To carry the Dream in our souls. To let the Dream manifest in our actions, interactions, and inaction. Don't let it become more of a nightmare for future generations. Leave your mark. Start today. Be the Dream you want to see in America.
"We cannot walk alone.
And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.
We cannot turn back."
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"No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream." MLK, Jr.
Happy Birthday, Dr. King. And back at ya!
Stay with me!
