| Today is a good day, friends. We make a peaceful transition of power as a nation. We can argue about the quality of the incoming or outgoing leaders. We can disagree on who is most right, whatever. But the fact that we have the ability, as a nation, with very little exception, to transition the keys is nothing short of remarkable. I am reminded of the Broadway show Hamilton, where in the song “I Know Him”, King George says “I wasn’t aware that was something a person could do.” Well boys and girls, we can. And we do. At the same time, and perhaps very appropriately, today is our national day to memorialize a leader that made more happen to make this nation great than perhaps anyone else short of the actual founding fathers. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. recognized the dire situation in our country and took the lead. His timing was important and his message was vital. His delivery was inspired. And his message still rings true. No country can be free unless all its citizens are free. If we push one group down, it lowers all of us. This is a tenet in leadership of people, in team dynamic and certainly in a “free” society. I think we still have work to do. We still have groups within our society that are viewed as lesser. That are kept “in their place” by all kinds of pressures–some overt and some covert. Yes, I acknowledge that we have come a long way. We have made tremendous strides in equality. But sometimes I think that when a group moves the needle a bunch, they sometimes fall short. They get tired. They get 80% done and celebrate that achievement and even get bitter if someone encourages them to keep going. That’s where we are. We took a horrible situation that was perpetrated by our ancestors (“our” meaning the generations before us, not necessarily literally YOUR great great great great grandfather) and made it much better–identified issues, fought and scrapped and got better, built in protections and acknowledgements and progress– and then got satisfied that we “did something” and “something is better than nothing.” Then we celebrated and made national holidays and such. Now the pendulum is swinging and anytime people mention there is still work to do–specifically work on OURSELVES as functioning members of the society–we get bitter and spiteful and point to the progress that has been made. “Isn’t that good enough? Look at what we’ve done. Seriously, can’t you just let it go? Why does it always have to be about race/national origin/sexual orientation/religious affiliation/insert oppressed groups here?” As we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King, let’s also acknowledge that we are not done. There are still people in this country that would reverse all the work done. There are still people that believe one group is better or more important than another. There are still injustices perpetrated by those in authority. There are still systemic issues that keep groups of people from achieving their potential. There are still groups of people that believe they are less simply because they are a certain color or speak a certain language. They still believe they will never be more than a “______,” and we are not doing anything to lift them up. There are also still people that believe the best way to lift someone up is to just give them something, to pacify them. None of this fits Dr. King’s messages. None of this is the way to build a better, more equal, American Dream oriented society. We can do better. We can still work. We can still overcome. Please spend some time in self reflection today. Please, read one of Dr. King’s speeches and really, truly, ask yourself how you feel. How do you treat people–not just face to face–but in the depths of your brain. How do you think. How have you helped someone. How have you made this world better/safer/more welcoming/more supportive lately? Who do you know that hasn’t met their potential and why haven’t they? When was the last time you truly engaged someone that looks different from you for coffee, a beer, dinner? When was the last time you had a thought that dwelled on stereotypes and was not a kind one? All of these questions are helpful. Enjoy your day. Enjoy the journey. Love your neighbor. |
