This weekend, I’ve been thinking a lot about Dr. Martin Luther King as the holiday brought his speech to the forefront of my mind. Last week, I read a thread online from a small Southern town (link to town gossip) that brought such anger and sadness. Posts basically in a not-so-nice way stated that people should stick to their own kind and not mix races (even using God’s name in there as it being his intent…WTH?). I know, it’s always the 1% of stupid of any group/race/region that make the other 99% of normal ones shake their heads and wonder why. It made me process through a lot of feelings and at what perfect timing!
I’ve never paid as much mind to MLK day as I have this year. Growing up, I always got fed up with the obligatory Black History month and all the work that went behind it (I know, it has taken years to appreciate the effort of our school system to expose us, I’m a slow learner in some ways). While I valued the efforts of the Civil Rights movers and shakers, I never appreciated focusing in on one individual or race. It was kind of like church to me—force me do it and I’m not interested. But, like church, as an adult when allowed to freely encounter, embrace, and explore it, it became more personal and I began to own it, appreciate it, and apply it. On this day of observance, I sit at the table researching agencies and countries through which to adopt (don’t worry, in the future). Who knows what will happen, but I highly doubt that my future adopted child will have the same lovely transparent pink skin color that I have. I’m also not sure what skin color my future husband will have (God willing and Dear God, you can send him soon please and thanks). This year, the MLK holiday means so much. We’ve come a long way since that movement, but as I sit back and think about the gossip link’s comments, I realize how far we still have to go.
When thinking about my future family who will no doubt blur the lines and may even look like a United Colors of Benetton ad, I share the same dreams that were so eloquently described on that day in 1963.
I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
Dr. Martin Luther King
