We’ve all come a long way since 1963, though as it stands, the human race still has a lot of growing to do. Progress, for the majority it seems, takes time. After all, it wasn’t until 1986 that the government decided that there should be a holiday in remembrance to everything Martin Luther King Jr stood for.
“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.””
Gene Roddenberry (the creator of Star Trek) shared a similar dream in that all people, regardless of race, would be working together in outer space. The helmsman was Asian, the navigator was Russian, the communications officer was of African-American decent, the engineer was Scottish, and the first officer was half human / half Vulcanian.
Before people get all huffy and puffy that I brought science fiction into this, be aware that one of the first aired interracial kisses was in fact, on an episode of Star Trek. The episode sucked, but that kiss between the communications officer (Uhura) and the captain (Kirk) made a mark on history.
I firmly believe, as did Gene Roddenberry and Martin Luther King Jr, that if we are to survive as a race that we need to put aside our petty differences and work together to lead our children to a better tomorrow. Space is vast; we’d be ignorant to believe that in the millions of planets out there that we are the only form of life to exist. How are we going to press outward to discover new worlds and new life if we, as humans, are too caught up in our own bigotry and greed?
Unfortunately, we’re not “there” yet. Some people are still racist and can’t see past their own selfish desires. Some people take pride in their heritage a little too far and develop “words” that can only be used by that particular race and are construed as ”offensive” if people not of their race use it.
I don’t agree with some of the ways people make a public spectacle of this holiday every year. Yes, the holiday honors a great man with great ideas, but the way some celebrate it also serves to segregate African-Americans further. I’ve seen some interviews for example that are completely unnecessary. Do you want to know how to help eliminate segregation? Quit talking about it. Accept that we are all equal and move on.
I’m not saying we should forget our respective heritages or the triumphs and mistakes our ancestors have made throughout history, however if we are going to celebrate this holiday, celebrate it as a reminder that we are all equal. Celebrate the holiday for the hope that one day we will ALL judge a person based on their actions and character as opposed to their skin color. Celebrate the holiday because you genuinely believe that if we are to have any sort of promising future that we, as humans, regardless of race, need to band together and solve the many problems that plague today’s society.
Martin Luther King Jr had a dream. One day, if we work at it, that dream will become a reality. I am disappointed that I probably won’t be around to see it. The best we can do is teach our children what we have learned and hope that they make the correct choices to lead the human race to a more enlightened future.
I’m doing my part…are you doing yours? Only time will tell, I suppose.