Celebrating Dr. King's (Actual) Birthday
Today is the actual birthday of the great Civil -- no, HUMAN -- Rights leader. On this date 79 years ago, this man of humble means, but haughty motive, was born in Atlanta.
He lived his life in the service of mankind and gave his life in the struggle to have all human beings seen as equal in man's eyes, as they are equal in the eyes of the Creator.
I think it's rather appropriate that on this day, we have a political debate raging, that in part, focuses on the struggle King lived his life fighting for. The struggle for Equality of race, and of gender and of class.
And how appropriate is it that on this anniversary of the day of his birth, a man of African, Hawaiian, an caucasian descent is competing with a woman, as they aspire to the highest office in the land. But as each of these candidates lay claim to some part of his legacy, let us remember what his sole point was: that we're all in this great American experiment together and that we will rise and fall together as a people, that the indignities visited on one of us because of their race, gender or class is an indignity against all of us.
While the struggle continues, it's certainly a welcome sight to see that, at least in part, the struggle of King, and Gandhi, and others has paid some dividend.
There is certainly much more work left to accomplish, but let us take pride in the fact that as a species, we've evolved, at least some, as we aspire to higher enlightenment and acceptance of the differences among us.
And each of us, black, white, man and woman alike owe a debt of gratitude that goes beyond the simple observance of the birthday of a great man.
He lived his life in the service of mankind and gave his life in the struggle to have all human beings seen as equal in man's eyes, as they are equal in the eyes of the Creator.
I think it's rather appropriate that on this day, we have a political debate raging, that in part, focuses on the struggle King lived his life fighting for. The struggle for Equality of race, and of gender and of class.
And how appropriate is it that on this anniversary of the day of his birth, a man of African, Hawaiian, an caucasian descent is competing with a woman, as they aspire to the highest office in the land. But as each of these candidates lay claim to some part of his legacy, let us remember what his sole point was: that we're all in this great American experiment together and that we will rise and fall together as a people, that the indignities visited on one of us because of their race, gender or class is an indignity against all of us.
While the struggle continues, it's certainly a welcome sight to see that, at least in part, the struggle of King, and Gandhi, and others has paid some dividend.
There is certainly much more work left to accomplish, but let us take pride in the fact that as a species, we've evolved, at least some, as we aspire to higher enlightenment and acceptance of the differences among us.
And each of us, black, white, man and woman alike owe a debt of gratitude that goes beyond the simple observance of the birthday of a great man.
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I grew up in the post-Black Panther world of the inner-city with a former militant turned conservative (for the kids) father. Martin was marginalized as an idealist compared to more stark but northern urban-relevant diatribes of Malcolm. As I have gotten older and read beyond the sound-bites of Malcolm, I saw how much heart he had. He was trying to keep youth in line and safe, but still actively involved in the protest process. Speaking out, not just emotionally, but philosophically and academically against American hypocrisy both domestic and abroad. His volume, wealth of knowledge, and genuine courage puts our current leadership to shame. To advocate, unequivocally, for peace in a time of war, trial and discontent at every level of society, shows how resolute he was in his vision of America as a much better place. A vision, that is so fully-unrealized that jabs as to whether a person is "black" enough is national news, still. But we have hope. And I pray that the contest between another dreamer and a woman that can roll with any of her male peers, doesn't do them and all of us the injustice of making the politic only and divisively about race/gender. And maybe if we truly believe in Martin and this race that represents his legacy, we can all come out better for trying. Winning doesn't hurt either, so vote!!!
Much Love.