Remembering the Purpose

"Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in." ---Dr. Martin Luther King

I remember the announcement of his death. I was a toddler bewildered by why my family was gathered around the black and white television in the room. All I can recall, is that this object of entertainment had become a harbinger of tremendous sorrow. So much so, that I started to cry because of everyone was crying. I could not have possibly comprehended the loss that occurred that day. That was perhaps the biggest impetus of learning about civil rights and social justice. 

The struggles of racial equity and justice in our country were akin to being Sisyphean. One step forward, two steps back. The progress I viewed could only describe as ostensible. This viewpoint focussed on the objective of a Utopia we are still trying to reach. However, I see much more than that now, especially when I look back and see how far we have come. Our persistent efforts have us stumbling forwards rather than backwards. There is more than just hope alive in our movement towards making things right for all. 

I am happy to profess that I have made a career of humanity and encourage others to do the same. Our nation faces a precipice of change, and our efforts are in no way Sisyphean by any means. We must continue are efforts to move up the proverbial hill and never lose faith that we belong where we are going. Celebrate the this day as we celebrate any bit of progress made. And most of all, fight hard not to lose any of it.