This morning on my way to work, I thought about this incident at my old company where this British lady made a comment about how she didn’t see the point of a holiday like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Day and how we just celebrate anything over here. At the time, I didn’t say anything…mainly because I worked for a very Republican company and just didn’t want to get into the drama of defending the merits of MLK Day…however, thinking about it this morning, I really wish I would’ve said something. I would’ve said that MLK Day isn’t just a pointless holiday, it’s a day to REMEMBER that it wasn’t too long ago that Blacks (and other minorities) were completely disenfranchised in practically every way possible. Dr. King represents the struggle, the hope, the perseverance, and the right for everyone to be treated equally and has human beings. If that isn’t something worth taking pause of to remember, acknowledge, and celebrate his legacy, then I don’t know what is.

So today…take a moment to think about what life would be like if someone like Dr. King hadn’t stepped up to the plate and been such an inspirational and unifying leader. Take the time to be thankful for the sacrifices that millions of people made to get us to the point where we are today. We went from not being able to drink out the same fountains, not being able to vote, constant denigration, lynchings, and the list goes on to having a Black man making a credible run for the presidency of the United States. We still have a long way to go and the fight for racial injustice is not over, but Dr. King did not die in vain and his legacy lives on.

Posted by Reecie

P.S.- If you get the chance, check out this video of Obama’s speech at Dr. King’s church…so incredibly inspirational!