Out of the mouths of babes there is great wisdom. I couldn’t help but think of this as I heard young person after young person speak last week during the various March for Our Lives rallies that were held worldwide in opposition of gun violence.
Their efforts reminded me of Dr. Martin Luther King’s efforts, particularly now as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of his death.
King’s efforts as well as those at the forefront of the March for Our Lives rallies remind us not to remain silent in the face of hate, violence and injustice. The same is true for those who adamantly stand up in opposition of the continuous, senseless killing of unarmed Black men. They too remind us that if we want change, we have to speak up and firmly demand specific changes and offer ideas on how that change can be made.
However, it is not lost on me that key advocates of the Black Lives Matter movement haven’t been hailed or celebrated in such as a way as the core group of teenage survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that occurred last month in Parkland, Florida.
Granted, national media outlets have provided coverage of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the movement has graced the covers of esteemed publications like TIME, however, there has not been such universal acceptance of that movement; a stark contrast to what we’ve seen relative to the gun control movement sparked by mostly white teenagers.
However, I am not deterred because I am hopeful positive change is on the way. In the words of King, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
A key element to the success of King’s efforts was when the world saw what was occurring in the American South. Worldwide, people saw respectfully dressed Black men, women and children peacefully marching in opposition of segregation and racial injustice. The world also saw the unwarranted attack of the marchers. Whether it was the police officers with their batons, the dogs’ angry bites, or the hate spewed on the faces of white men as they physically assaulted innocent Blacks — the world watched. And because the world saw such horrible acts of violence, because well-intentioned American whites protested alongside Blacks, because Blacks, under the influence of King were united and clear about their demands, positive change eventually came.
Blacks are going to need that type of intervention from the world and our well-intentioned white brothers and sisters to adamantly stand with us and not only decry police brutality and racial injustice, but also continuously work to expose the wrongdoings, offer tangible solutions to the problem and implement true change.
King said it best time after time:
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
And my favorite of all time: “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
Seeing such continuous overt racism and injustice on so many levels weighs me down at times. It literally makes my heart heavy. But rather than remain in that place of despair and defeat, I strive to do more; be it documenting the injustices on the pages of the Recorder so more people are aware and feel impassioned to help or having authentic dialogues with my white friends and associates so they can understand a different perspective. We all must do our part to make the world a better place.
One of my newest heroes certainly is doing her part to make the world better. Eleven-year-old Naomi Wadler was one of the youngest people who spoke at the March for Our Lives rally in Washington. Her remarks urged the country to not forget the vast number of Black women who are overwhelmingly victims of gun violence.
Congressman John Lewis, who worked alongside King and has dedicated his life toward racial and social justice recently stated, “Of all the gifts given us by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I think the greatest has been the belief in society’s ability to change and the power each of us has to affect that change.”
We each have the power to make a change, we just have to do it. I hope now, more than ever, it is impressed upon you to do what is necessary to make a positive change.
