Today, we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr in the United States and it seems now, more than ever, we need his message of tolerance, hope and love. To look beyond skin color and see people for whom they really are. To stand up and protest wrongs nonviolently. There is still so much hate in this world based on the color of your skin, which is something none of us have any control over.
I am Korean and was adopted by my parents (who are caucasian) when I was baby. I grew up in a predominately white community, so yes, I am familiar with racism and prejudice. It’s a gut punch, especially when someone you know and like says something horrible. At the same time, there are so many good and wonderful people in the world who don’t see skin color. They simply see you.
I have always strived to be like that. In fact, it used to annoy people because I was (still am) very bad at distinguishing various races, especially Asians. I just don’t care. I like you for you and dislike you for you. It’s never about the color of your skin or religious beliefs or sexual orientation.
You either bring light into this world or darkness. MLK brought in light and darkness took him away from us far too soon. But it could never diminish his true light as we continue to celebrate and honor him every year.
I have a dream too, Dr. King. I have a dream that one day no one will even notice the color of another person’s skin. They will judge them based upon their actions, which they control, not on something they don’t. We won’t arbitrarily and automatically dislike someone because their skin color is different from our own, whether we are white, brown, yellow or purple with pink polka dots.
It’s dream you shared too and one that is sadly still not fully realized. But don’t despair. Progress has been made. There are millions of people – of all colors – who share your dream and march towards it, thanks to you and your light.
Love always illuminates. Fear and hate only bring darkness. Please be the light.
Tanya
His is still one of my all-time favorite speeches! It’s too bad he is not around to see the profound impact that speech has made on so many. We’ve come a long way, but still have to far to go.
Mine too, Tonya. It still resonants as these years later – even more today, I think. We have come so far, but we have fully reached his dream yet.
Race relations are definitely still a problem in this country. I am of mixed race (half black, half white) and the racist things that were said to me as a child, still hurt. I want Dr. King’s legacy to come true and there to be no more color lines.
I hear you, Mackenzie. Those comments never really ever fade away from our memories, do they? I long for the day where color of your skin is no longer a thing. Some day.
I never get tired of hearing his speech. If more people thought like you we would have a much better place to live.
It is such a sad world we live in now. I hope and pray one day there will be peace. I would love to leave the world knowing my grandsons wouldn’t have to endure all this hate. But of course that’s a far off dream.
Happy Monday hun!
It’s a beautiful speech that has certainly endured. I hope and pray for a day of peace and tolerance too. And it starts with us, so that your beautiful grandsons can live in a better world.