As I reflect today on the celebration going on all over the United States in honor of the birthday of Dr. King, I am humbled by his work and the ultimate sacrifice he paid trying to ensure the rights of minorities and us all.
The fact that he is only one of 3 people who have the individual honor of being recognized for his contribution in the shaping of America is inspiring. (George Washington and Columbus)
I can only try to pass on to my children the legacy of he and the others that were jailed, beaten and killed fighting for what the Constitution promised.
I'm pulling his speech up on youtube to watch with my children and as I do, I'll be thinking about what he would think had he lived to see President Obama take office.
I pray we as a people and nation continue to move forward toward equality so that our past one day will be nothing but a,"Once Upon A Time....
United States, honor, humbled, ultimate sacrifice, rights of minorities, contribution, shaping of America, inspiring.....
*I can only try to pass on to my children...
... the legacy of he and the others that were jailed, beaten and killed fighting for what the Constitution promised.
*Don't forget to pass on "WHY".... he was a "CHRISTIAN" !
When people (not you babygirl) want to make this about his being black, it promotes racism. If we want this nation to move on towards equality then we need to start judging people by who they are on the inside rather than you they are on the outside.
Dr. King was black on the outside and a Christian on the inside.
2sp, I actually know what you are saying, I REALLY DO!!!
What you have to understand is that it IS about race.
Dr. King was fighting for our right to just do regular junk like, eat at a restaurant where there were signs saying *No N*ggers*, drink at water fountains that said *Whites Only*, and sit where we wanted on a public bus.
The fact that he was a Christian and a minister and had a stance of nonviolence (letting God fight our battle for us) gave credit and glory to God's name and made us extremely proud.
The fact that banks and businesses (some) close down nationally in a country that brought my people here in slave ships and regardless of your view of his politics, holds a current black President is extremely profound for us in relation to where we were.
For those of us who have recieved Christ and salvation, we see the significance of Dr. King being a Christian. But I can assure you, those of my people who do not embrace Christianity feel just as strongly about the work he did as our reprentative in helping to bring change to America.
Believe it or not we still suffer injustices and racism even in this day and age, its just not done openly for all to see. Fifteen years ago, in one of the small towns here in Indiana, when I was still in college (a university where blacks were not originally permitted), I applied for a job at a gas station in response to an ad in the paper. While waiting in the office, I noticed a plaque on the wall that said, "Award for Killing the Most N*ggers This Year". Needless to say, I left real quick.
I will say, we have come a MIGHTY long way and those type of experiences happen farther and fewer in between, but they do happen.
Dr. King being a Christian was icing on the cake but we (blacks) remember and honor him for helping make it possible for Obama to live in a White house.:rocknroll:
Do you realize there is 0.2% genetic difference between any two people and only 0.012% genetic difference because of color?....We are NOT that different!
Do you realize when slavery is a offense given by those not alive against those not alive?.....it is time to let it go and forgive.
Do you realize if it wasn't for the sacrifice your ancestors endured you would be living in Africa or still in the bush?....they should be considered heros for their fortitude! They are survivors and you have reaped the benefits, their memory should be honored.
Do you realize Obama is 50% black and 50% white and people focus on his skin color......The color of his skin only matters to racists.
Sparrow: Are you writing from the heart and with love or are you just trying to wind people up? Anyway...
Race is a complicated issue: it seems as if to even acknowledge that races exist is to be racist. But as babygirl pointed out, race was, has been, and still is an "issue" to a lot of people from all races. Nowadays I hear people talking about how being "just white" isn't going to exist in just a couple of decades, as if it is reason for panic. Honestly, I'm afraid of being considered racist just because I am a 'white' woman dating a 'white' man when it seems all the 'progressive' women my age are dating Hispanics and 'black' men.
Racism is an ugly, tangled mess of a topic. To be proud of racial identity can look like, or even be, racism. If I were to proclaim proudly about being a proud 'white' woman, I am not sure if it would have the same ring to it as when an African American declares pride for being a proud 'black' woman. Sparrow does have a point that using words like "we" when talking about one's race perpetuates the division, even if it is not intended in a context of "us vs. them". I do not believe it is necessarily an elitist form of racism, but it does emphasize a difference between peoples. I am trying more and more to not think of myself as any "type" of person other than a woman and a Christian, and to think of others the same way. Whether we are black, white, or whatever, and whether we care or not what color anybody is, we are all God's children.
All of that aside, we should all strive to be "color blind" and love everybody as we would want them to love us. I do hope for a time when people of all races can be together without thinking, or caring, for each other's genetic lineage... but we might have to wait for Heaven to see it.
Siy, girl I ain't worried bout 2sp. I'm bout to tear him up and I enjoy it!:dancingp: You made some good points as did he.
2sp, let me break it down a little for you so you will know where I'm coming from.
I have 3 types of ppl. First is my blood related family. Blood is thicker than water and I will do anything for my kids, my siblings (I'm the oldest of 6) and the whole host of others. Love them.
Second is my black folk. I am not a racist, but a realist. I am not surprised you have your viewpoint. Ppl who ain't never had to suffer the kind of jazz my ppl (yeah I said my ppl) have had to endure, have the advantage of seeing the world through those rose colored glasses. I come from mixed heritage myself (one Cherokee Indian great grandmother and one white greatmother on the other side), but the majority of my heritage comes from Africa. My coloring shows the mix, but I have strong Africa features so I've never been mistaken for being anything other than black. they have in recent times been ackin a fool, gangbangin and all that, but I still love my ppl.
Third, and most important are my bros and sisters(my ppl) in Christ. I REALLY love yall. Of course, God has no respect of persons and we are all His children. But here on Earth, there are different ppl, cultures and colors.Thats a fact and thats real. I don't think that its a bad thing. It gives the world an awesome diversity, and aside from the false religions, it's a beautiful thing.
It's offensive when you say that I would still be in Africa and the bush. What?? First what is wrong with Africa? I look forward to going back to the motherland to visit. The bush??? There are third world communities there still, but the majority of ppl populated Africa, though not as technically advanced as other places, are just as industrialized as the US.
I will say, I do believe God had a plan when yo ppl brought my ppl over here(yeah, purposely inflamatory:laugh:). My ppl were/some still are over there acting a fool bout serving the elements and false gods and having voodoo type religions. Missionaries have done a good job of bringing Christianity there, so if I was in the bush, I might still have a fighting chance of being saved 2sp.
Yes, I realize Obama is half/half. Being half African though he probably blacker than me.:laugh: I am not a racist and his skin color matters cause I can tell my kids now you can be President of the United States where they used to hang your ancestors up on trees, beat them, sleep with their women and sell their children all legallike.
I used to listen to the stories my great grandfather(born 1899) told me about his parents and grandparents being released from slavery with tears rolling down his face. That is real. 50 years ago my ppl couldn't vote, now we got a mulatto President. Long way to go, but we've come far.
I have forgiven long time ago and I love your white self even though you talkin crazy. :nahnah: Thats for saying I would still live in the bush.
My real flesh and blood younger sister has given up a year of her life and is currently living in the bush in Gambia Africa as a missionary. So don't get all melodramatric about "living in the bush". Apparently you are a bit naive about "your people" and were you could be living if a neighboring tribe had not kidnapped and sold your ancestor to a Portuguese salior. Btw which has nothing to do with anyone alive today. I grow weary of people (note : I did not day " your people") trying to make me feel bad like this was somehow my fault because I am white. And as a matter of fact I have had to deal stuff, lol you think you are the only one? I was passed over and refused employment when I tested in the top 8% of applicants ONLY because of my skin color. Other employers advised me not to even apply because I was white. (Remember Affirmative Action?)
Anyway, to answer Siylii, my posts on this topic are for two reasons., 1) look at this thread before and after I posted : it went from back patting to real discussion. 2) I love my Sister babygirl, and I know she likes to write passionately and needs something to get her blood moving to enjoy tthe feeling of being alive!..... your welcome : )
:ROFL:Yes, 2sp, it is a little boring around here without your crazy talk, so thank you.
And unless you have sold a slave recently, no one blames you for anything. And I reserve the right to be melodramatic, thats how I roll.:peace:
I have no ignorance about where I could be living or even that some black Africans themselves helped enslave their own ppl. It doesn't make what happened any less wrong though.
If you will recall, this started as me reflecting on far we had come, not to rehash through the pain & struggles of MY PEOPLE.
I know affirmative action has a down side for white folk. But the good it has done for MY PEOPLE who couldn't break through into certain occupations outweighs the bad. Just my opinion. In fact, I would be interested to see if AA was lifted, how companies would do.
And please don't take the burden of helping me feel alive into your own hands. I'm good.:laugh:
