It's Martin Luther King Day. Most think of it as just a day off school. Some might learn a little bit about what he did and why we're celebrating him. Some might attend an assembly in his honor or be involved in some other activity. Here's a flashback from my 9th grade celebration of MLK:
Martin Luther King Jr. by Mary Blackner
Must
forever engage in our struggle for dignity and discipline.
All
men are worthy of love and respect
Rights
for all people, not just for some
Tolerance
means being judged by our character, not the color of our skin
Injustice
anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere
Now
is the time
Love
your enemies
Unity
provides power necessary for change
To
have the same rights
Heat
of injustice and oppression will be transformed into freedom and justice
Equality
Rise
up in peace and help our team of acceptance
Know that one day we will be free
I have a dream for the same schools,
restrooms, and buses
Non-violence
God does not support segregation and
discrimination
Justice
Rise from the dark valley of segregation to
the sunlit path of racial justice
This year, the work of Martin Luther King means a lot more to me. I attribute some of this to the fact that I spent a lot of time in the South. I saw the places where he stood. I came to understand a little bit more of the culture. I saw the ghettos of Birmingham where poverty and violence prevail, I saw plenty of rural fields and beautiful country, I passed confederate flags, and as I talked to people each and every day, I realized that segregation and racism still exist to a certain extent in the great state of Alabama.
So as I sat in the movie theater yesterday with about 15 other returned missionaries from the ABM, things got real. I realized that history is just a story until you've been there. Until you've seen a place with your own eyes, you don't completely understand. Maybe the writers and producers of Selma just did a really good job, but I like to think because of the experiences that I've had in the past 18 months, the story of Martin Luther King Jr. and his activist life that changed America really became a part of me.
What a brave and courageous man. What strong-willed people. I was absolutely stunned by their determination to lead such a peaceful protest despite the persecution they received. They saw loved ones injured or even killed, they were mistreated over and over, and yet they continued to fight for their rights as citizens of this country. It was interesting to see the interaction between Dr. King and the President.
Right is right no matter what.
The law is the law and should be enforced in all parts of the country and yet the leaders at this point in time didn't seem to understand the power they had to make a difference. They didn't uphold the principles that they should've been taught. They didn't see that by just one simple choice to choose the right, to listen to the truth, they could've changed the destiny of thousands of people.
Violence and discrimination is never ok.
Denying unalienable rights is never ok either.
It's honestly so sad that events like those that happened in Selma in the 1960s even occurred, but what a legacy they left. They were victorious. Through heartache and disappointment, they stayed united and continued to fight until their rights were recognized uninhibited. It truly is inspiring.
As I reflected on my time in that part of the country and how I interacted with the descendants of these people, both black and white, that we really are just brothers and sisters and that we should be willing to help each other regardless of our backgrounds or skin colors through this journey here on earth.
So this January 19
take a moment to ponder on the life of Martin Luther King Jr.
think of this great country we live in and the rights we have.
think about your views and the way that you treat those around you.
maybe resolve to be a little better.
and never forget the people that paved the way for us today.
Things would be a lot different without the Civil Rights Movement.
A time in history that should never be repeated, but should always be remembered.
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