How do you show how YOU care?

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Your Legacy Continues, Dr. King

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a civil rights activist fighting for the equality and justice for all people. His famous speech, "I Have A Dream," has been widely read and his message continues to unite us all for racial and social justice. 

On Martin Luther King Day, I had the privilege to celebrate Dr. King's message through various presentations and events conglomerated under the theme, "Whose Dream Is It Anyway?" As I attended the sessions, I learned that although Dr. King rose to prominence during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, his message and mission have yet to progress towards success by the people of the United States of America. 

His message, to combat discrimination against race, ethnicity, origin, religion, sexuality, gender, and exclusion of special persons, continues to live in the back of our minds instead of thriving in the forefront of our minds. 

The various educational sessions and presentations throughout the day spoke to Dr. King's legacy and allowed for the audience to think about inclusivity. I was privileged to attend some of these sessions and learn about ways to progress Dr. King's legacy of equality and racial justice. Before we can implement change, it is important to change the way in which we think, specifically when it comes to making pre-judgements among others and holding prejudice against those who are different. One of the biggest mistakes we make that drive us further away from achieving inclusivity and equality is our inability to be confident when speaking the truth and challenging the issues we face.

For example, Ash Beckham, a TedTalk speaker and keynote presenter of the night, discussed the importance of having the ability to speak the truth and be self-confident. Beckham's presentation was well-worth attending because it presented ways in which we, as citizens, can help inspire others to work towards equality, acceptance, and inclusion. She taught us the importance of knowing one's own identity and encouraged the audience to not be afraid to speak up for what is right. Beckham focused on gender roles, identity, and how society teaches us to conform to the truth from a very young age. I learned that it is important to understand yourself and your actions because it is a step towards understanding others and the world around you. Not until Beckham's lecture did I understand that by being silent, you are taking your stance on an issue and speaking out. Actions, as well as words, affect the way others think about you and see you. 

MLK Day never fails to teach me the most important lesson for turning Dr. King's dreams into a reality; for, it is important to learn and understand the history of racial injustice and exclusivity of certain populations to make sure that history does not repeat. 

Photo credit: My own; presenter Ash Beckham

Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015

Wishing everyone a healthy, safe, and charitable New Year! What are your plans and resolutions for 2015?

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