Also, today is meant to celebrate all that he accomplished. It does not mean that he was a saint or even the best human being to walk the planet, but let's not let his faults overshadow his revolutionary changes on a day meant to celebrate peace and justice winning over apathy and hate. I think people who bring his faults up on this day are afraid of someone making such radical changes through peace like he did. It's easier to write off his accomplishments, because it makes us feel better about ourselves. It allows us to feel comfortable in our apathy and lack of motivation to make change. MLK Jr was a man who did not stop when others told him it was impossible. He not only had tremendous amounts of faith in humanity, but he had passion and courage that most people can't even dream to have.
Sometimes I feel pessimistic about the lack of change I see around me. I have so many passionate, idealistic friends. We fight so hard, and I often wonder what difference do we really make? I still hear racist, sexist, and homophobic comments on a pretty regular basis. Yet, on a day like today, I am reminded that one person can make a difference. It's like that JFK quote that is actually hanging on a poster right next to me as I type this (thanks Leslie) "One person can make a difference and every person should try." I miss the younger me who was so involved in social justice issues. I must say I've gotten a lot more selfish as I age, and I think that's because I am still trying to take care of my own mental health before I can help others. I hope that I will one day be able to make change through my writing. Maybe I can use these mental health struggles as a way to connect to people who feel disconnected.
I woke up today and did laundry. It's a pretty simple way to start the day, but it left me feeling optimistic for what I might accomplish today. I didn't put two and two together that it is MLK jr day and I'm feeling optimistic. I don't think that's a coincidence. Today is a day where optimism wins, peace conquers violence, love conquers hate, and justice shines on. Today I will reflect on how I have, can, and will make a difference. I hope you might do the same, friend.
3 comments:
I know we've had this conversation, but I still want to comment.
Though I agree that MLK jr did huge things for the country, I hate that people hide the negative side of him. People do think of him as a saint or someone who did so much for the country, like he's not even human. Like we could never live up to the kinds of things he did. Well, he is very much human, and that should be known too. It frustrates me.
I'm also frustrated that Malcolm X is so overshadowed. He did huge things for the Civil Rights Movement, too. I believe that he did more to empower African Americans and raise their spirits. He helped them believe that they were not only as good as white people, but better. That does huge things for people who have been oppressed their whole lives. Without him to boost their morale, maybe people wouldn't have had the courage to support equal (or at least, more equal) rights.
With that said, I'm thankful for the strides that both men have made with reference to race relations. Certainly, the U.S. would not be the same without both of them.
I just wish we, as a society, didn't make social change seem so unreachable by creating saints out of people who mess up. And, we should understand and appreciate the lengths both men made to create change in this world.
*by made, I mean went. The lengths they went.
That's where aspects of feminism have screwed up. It's not about superiority. It's about equality. I see what you're saying, but I don't think it's right to discredit Malcom X's downfalls either. He was at one point racist against white people, which only fuels more hate on both sides. Peace is a radical thing. I support and am grateful for both men. I don't think you should focus on downfalls of a person who has made such positive change. It would be different if lots of other people had days that called us to celebrate peace and justice. The truth is we don't, so let's celebrate this day and not focus on his downfalls. You can talk about his downfalls any other day.
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