It is the weekend before Martin Luther King Jr. Day and we sit and reflect on everything that has occurred since the days the King use to walk the earth.
We look back and thank him and all his followers for their hard work. Hard work that would progressively give African Americans rights and treatment that they deserved. Yet as I sit here and reflect, something seems off with this years’ celebration.
This year is unlike many of those that have passed. I do not feel like celebrating the memory of a great man during these not so great times.
Martin Luther King fought every day of his life to give equality for all. It did not matter what size or color you were, he fought and protested so that all could get a chance at fair and just treatment.
Nevertheless, after all those tough battles and all that abuse that he withstood, the United States of America has elected a leader that embodies everything Martin Luther King fought so passionately against.
Martin Luther King is turning in his grave over the stupidity that we have reflected as a nation. A nation that he fought so hard to unite during times of incredible turmoil. A nation that has taken a leap backwards after so many steps that were taken forward.
When President Barrack Obama was elected and put into office, people cried because of overwhelming emotions of happiness and relief. It was the United States’ first president of color and it was obvious that we have taken strides forward. A beautiful event of history occurred and many thought that they would not see it in their lifetime.
We could see the work of MLK happening all around us. A whole country united under the leadership of Obama, someone that we would go on to re-elect for a second term.
Now that his second term is up, we will inaugurate the next president of the United States this week. This week out of all weeks; the week when we are supposing to be celebrating and remembering the great work of Martin Luther King Jr.
As painful as this week may be, Dr. King would have wanted us to keep on the good fight and not let others put us down. Dr. King would want us to continue with the celebrations in good spirits, not only as a way to reflect and remember everything he was and everything he did but also as a way to fight back.
A way to fight back rising racism, a way to fight back police prejudice against non-whites, and most importantly, a way to fight back against Trump and his loyally blind supporters.
Just like Dr. King said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
