Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It happens each year on the Monday that is closest to his birthday. It is THE only federal holiday that is named for one person. We used to have a holiday for George Washington on his birthday, and one for Abe Lincoln, but their days were combined and it turned into Presidents Day. Note: Presidents as a plural word. So, all American presidents are honored on that day.
But, today, it is still all about remembering one man, the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.
I was a kid back in the 60’s when MLK Jr. became the Civil Rights leader ofthat time. I was living in a cocoon and I never really understood back then what was happening around our country, and especially in the south. In fact, at that time my family was living in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. I remember hearing my parents talk about some race riots happening in one area in the Cleveland area, but I didn’t know why. What were they upset about? I grew up in white neighborhoods, and I went to white schools, and a white church. It wasn’t until I went away to Lutheran Memorial Camp (a week long summer camp program) when I was about 10 years old that I interacted with people of other races. My cabin camp counselor was Rita, a black college student. The fact that 52 years later I remember her name proves how unique she was in my young life.
But, even after that camp experience, I went back to my white world. Eventually my family moved to a small rural town in Ohio when I was in eighth grade. I don’t remember any blacks in the school there, but there were a few Hispanic students.
Off to college I finally went and I first started at a church college that was again mostly made up of whites. When I transferred my junior year to Towson State I then started attending classes with students of other colors and nationalities. It was a much more evenly mixed environment. So, thinking back I was about 20 years old before living in a blended world.
I have to thank my parents for never making race an issue as I grew up. I don’t remember EVER hearing them speak with racist words. I didn’t hear them speak of fear, or differences. My father was a pastor and I never heard him speak about any other person of any persuasion, color, background, sexuality in a negative way.
So, even though I had a ‘sheltered childhood’ I grew up knowing everyone was equal. We were and are now all God’s children, made in HIS imagine.
I think about how different it could have been for me. I had some aunts and uncles who spoke with racist language. I had cousins who grew up with it in their homes. I think about how many children all over America have heard nasty words, and have had family members who spit out prejudice in the home.
Generations and decades upon decades of it finally came to a head in the 1960’s. The Civil Rights movement happened because GOOD people spoke up. Good people could not ignore it anymore. A leader emerged…
Martin Luther King Jr.
He spoke of change, of equality, and of peace. He inspired black and white. He led marches and he gave speeches. And, as we know, he was assassinated by a man who was unable to accept what Dr. King said. Just imagine had that not happened and what more could have been.
But, today, MLK Jr.’s words still speak to us, and we still hope for a country where people are not judged by the color of their skin, but by their character. Their heart.
On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day I hurt because I think we have gone backwards in recent years. But, then I remember we had our first black president – and how historical that was! I also know that with positive change and acceptance there are still those who push back and there are people scared about any change. our current president ‘woke’ those people up, and he continues to use fear and superiority as a tool… for racism.
Dr. King showed us that we can not stay silent in these times. We have to peacefully speak against hate. We have to live our lives as an example of what Jesus taught… “love our neighbor” and “love each other as we want to be loved .” Dr. King followed Jesus and used his words. So, must we.
So, today is NOT just a holiday, just a day off of work. It is a day to remind us of a call to action. And, it is a day to honor the man who showed us how it can be done.
Marla’s Musings 