It’s MLK Day and as we reflect the progress that has been made since THE SIXTIES (this never fails to take my breath away), we are all still very aware of the adversity and atrocious inequality that still persists. Disparities that are wrapped up so flawlessly within our, not only judicial system, but in socio-economic environments as well. It’s hard to believe in destroying these seemingly infallible ideals when society is not given alternatives and being fought when trying to express willingness and desire for change.
I was talking about apathy with one of my friends over dinner the other day. We spoke of the currently passionate political landscape that’s flooded with people who want change and are fed up with these intolerable incidents that have been plaguing communities of color for CENTURIES (another staggering intake of breath after gasping for air).
Anyway, our discussion raised the biggest question of all. A question we ask ourselves everyday when we hear bigots on TV, read comments posted by vile simpletons with little understanding of historical events or lack even a modicum of empathy, or encounter stranger’s conversations so steeped in racism they’re too oblivious to notice. It’s a question I ask myself when I read the statistics about the ratio of men of color in jail vs. white men. It’s a question I’m sure you’ve asked yourself when the reality that police brutality is curiously very much affecting certain communities came to light. That question is, “What can we do?”
That question is broad and confusing and overwhelming when you think about it. This is why when posed, the answer is mostly, “I don’t know.” The thing is, you do know. We all know. It has to start somewhere. Let it start with you. I am by no means saying this is going to remedy all of the violence and harm done everyday by these systems put into place, but I’m saying it’s time to start feeling powerful again.
One of the greatest accomplishments of MLK was his ability to inspire confidence in not just the ideas he shared, but within the people he was sharing those ideas that enabled massive amounts of protests and inspiring perseverance. He made people feel like they could do anything. They could change the world. Well, we could change the world.
It’s not going to be an overnight process like in the movies when everything is wrapped up neatly in a resolution in an hour and a half, but it will be the happiest of endings when we can finally have faith that our systems are no longer riddled with racism.
Along with “being the change you want to see” there are nonprofit groups, meetups, or even organizing your own thing to garner interest to create your own group. Lest we never forget it’s one of our rights as American citizens to come together peacefully and denounce intolerance. These are just a few things we can do to really get hold on policies and see what hands-on moves we can make to really become “apart of the change you want to see.”
There’s also boycotting. My friend made such a valid point about how it seems we forget that once a shit ton of people stop buying stuff and using services that fund the government, etc. this hits “the machine” with such brute force there’s no other option but to listen to The People. This is probably the most effective, quick thing that can be done if enough people are able to do it and enough money is lost. However, this is acceptably troublesome depending on your situation, location, etc.
What I’m trying to say is MLK had a dream and we’re still here fighting for it, but we can never forget that we have so much more power than we’re led to believe and that the power of togetherness will truly be what turns this country around. MLK knew that, which many say is what led to his demise. He had a dream, and that dream is in each and every one of us.
