This isn't exactly the most formal appreciation of Martin Luther King Jr. Nor is this propaganda for the Black Lives Matter Movement or anything really racial at all, but I will touch on that just a bit. I'm not going to preach about my rights or the almighty whites or whatever. Personally, I haven't felt the strong racial barriers that my fellow colored people have and I'm very thankful for that. I also don't have firsthand experience of the struggles and lines drawn between colored people to white people, although I'm well aware it exists. It exists even in aspects of gender which is a whole other story. If I had the chance; however, I'd like to speak with Dr. King Jr. to thank him for the opportunities and the ability to mend us as people. It's hard to believe I've been alive for 40% of the time that African Americans have had our civil rights. I mean wow that is an incredible thought when translated into numbers. There is still discrimination, but we got an Act out of that year yeah?

I've been quite fortunate though within the time that I've had the experience with these rights. I'm honestly grateful that my ethnicity and religious beliefs can be overlooked, but there isn't anything that means more to me than to be able to speak and be with whomever I'd like to, regardless of color. Without that, I wouldn't have been able to write that article last week about J.Cole because his parents are black and white. There are plenty of people who have given me encouragement and have welcomed me into their homes and lives. It's something I feel I should never have to thank people for. It shouldn't even be a subject, but yay history. The relationships I've had with white people have been tremendous and I thank them all. Not to say that all my colored friends aren't special or anything of that nature, but MLK has a day for a reason and this is just part of the reason why. My best friend, Donovin, is white. I have plenty of friends that are mixed. Best part is it isn't looked at as a bad thing... as much.

I have had my encounters with racism of course. Being called the "N word" and other slurs towards african americans, but honestly what can you do. It's dreadful but the times I'm not under seige for my ethnicity outweigh the negatives. I'm proud to be African American and I'm thankful for you, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.