today

                                The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

MLK was a man of peace, integrity, and embodied the American Spirit. I am thankful for his and many others work.  Because of him and the men and women like him I am able to have basic rights such as:
•The ability to vote
•To be protected by the law
•The right to eat at any restaurant
•Shop at any store
•Sit any where on public transportation that I choose
•The right to fair, honest employment
•Speak my mind on issues of inequalities
•Be able to take a Black history class at almost any college in the nation

Other men and women who fought (directly and indirectly) for basic rights of African-Americans:
•Malcolm X
•W.E.B DuBois
•Fannie Lou Hamer
•Maya Angelou
•Rosa Parks
•Spike Lee
•Ruby Bridges

I am just going to get on my soapbox here and say that I think every single American should be taught in public school from elementary school on (with appropriate subject matter, of course) the history of African-Americans in this county. There are so many resources out there for teaching children about this entire issue, and some great books. We had so many debates in Black History over this very issue, and while teaching children about this entire thing is not very comfortable it is necessary to our progression. We cannot forget our history.

I am personally thankful for MLK and many that came before and after him. I am proud that my dad participated in the March on Washington. I am proud that my grandparents escaped a life of indecency and racism and were able to move north where things were (slightly) better. King is a wonderful example of a man determined to succeed, and I am so glad we have a day to celebrate him.

Comments

[Dad]

Katie:

So proud of you. Your message today was very moving. Hope you find "good" today.

Blessings!

DAD

[Keya]

Happy MLK Day, he was a great man.

[teresa]

It's a shame that through out history cultures,religious sect, and women even had/have to fights for those most basic rights, the world would be a better place if we all could just understand that we are all the Daughters and Sons of a loving Heavenly Father, and act accordingly, problems would be solved.

[Tonya]

Beautifully stated.

[Lisa Brown]

That was beautifully stated. I think it is sad how few people know any of the history of our country. When we forget the past, that is setting us up to make more mistakes. Like Teresa said, it is too bad that we all don't understand that we are all children of the same Father in Heaven, and act accordingly.

[Allison K]

Katie,
I loved your post today. We had a wonderful discussion this morning about MLK. The children of course can not fathom the injustice that has happened and continues to happen in the world today. It's so sad that we can't all live with love and respect.