By the time I arrived in the world (circa 1974), Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was not only the face of the early ‘60s Civil Rights movement, but more close to home, an individual that embodied the courage and achievements that my parents had hoped for.
Whether dealing with the pangs of having to grow up in deep-South segregation, or learning to sustain off of Great Depression-era food rations — by the time King started speaking and galvanizing for the underrepresented America — my parents not only had beneficial ears, but also practiced and taught parallel sacrifices for their own family.
Lessons in historical unselfishness and true self-awareness of one’s talents are how I summarize King’s dream and life’s work — with an emphasis on pursuit of one’s happiness, and this America being “yours” too. The second Black family to move into a then predominantly white eastside neighborhood; my parents encouraged my sisters and me in all aspects of youth development that were shut out to them in their formative years. It wasn’t as if every dinner table conversation revolved around the social-political hot topics from 20 years back, but we were challenged to be critical thinkers, read newspapers, go to the library, watch the news and absorb virtuous information. And in your own small way, hopefully, put that same goodness back into the universe.
As a family, I can recall unequivocally listening to King’s speech in its entirety on local radio every Jan. 21. And as with most of Dr. King’s speeches, it pushed the narrative of an equal America forward, leaving us, the listener, inspired. Believing in any and all available opportunities, my parents would open their time — and lean pocketbooks — to typical all-American experiences, exposing us to quality schools, Boy Scouts, ballet, Little League baseball, high school plays and tap dance. Heck, my senior year of high school I went out for the cheerleading squad.
As I became older, King’s dream and life’s work became even more affecting. Choosing peace over retaliatory violence, a renaissance approach to education and an expansive taste in music and television (outside of the plain ol’ urban catalog) became my personal signatures. I’ve never shot a gun. Most of my college professors appreciated my often over loquacious term papers. “The First Store” episode of “The Jeffersons,” featuring a rare non-comedic Sherman Hemsley, hits the heartstrings every time I watch it. My CD collection embraced diversity, as I remember the cool, calm and collected conversation I had the day my parents discovered I dug those old “hippies” from Liverpool, The Beatles, versus the not-so cool convo, sit-down when I got caught listening to Notorious B.I.G.’s unedited “Juicy.” Well, just say more than the tape got popped that day.
Simplistic freedoms and open-ended possibilities for every woman and man is what Martin sacrificed for. Striving for a non-prejudicial world, Martin Luther King Jr. was a successful leader who inspired and motivated people toward a common goal. I am thankful my parents introduced his many works of encouragement to me. They were his grassroots supporters working their real 9 to 5s, championing a shared dream: to channel positivity over negativity, uplift one’s community and to genuinely love one another.
JONATHAN BIRDSONG
