a dream for all

Darlene Morgan
Jan 19
5 min read

I am usually ready to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. day as soon as possible.

Granted I have been gone most of the day, we did get home from the annual MLK volleyball tournament in KC around 3.

But as soon as I got home, I laid down on my bed. I was so tired.

Yet, thinking about King and what his intention was for our country has been on my mind all day.

I read a post that had his quote about capitalism and the effects of it on society. An individual remarked how he disagreed with it and how it [capitalism] is impossible to eliminate.

The display of pride was annoying to me; also how this person was ready to disagree and make an argument about a quote from a civil rights activist who was assassinated.

It was a small cloud in my day, of course never enough to appreciate the 3 day weekend with my daughters and watching my youngest play her sport.

Still, I contemplated it and this persons remark made me realize how difficult it may be to ever implement the dream that King had for us which was in part to civil rights for people of color but also - to act as a community and insist on racial equality and fair justice for all.

With the 'leader' we have in our nation now, it is a sad implication of what our nation has become. Too many people are too pleased with the idea that they can do and say as they want to others who do not agree with them. Too many are okay with the acts of aggression toward people of color or who 'might' not be a citizen of the U.S.

I thought we were the country who welcomed everyone?

I do not understand the selfishness and finger-pointing toward people whom we think are here illegally - all of a sudden.

I have read how other presidents began this ice movement and how our current 'leader' is just following suit. I may not be totally in tuned to the news but I really do not recall other presidents insisting ice go out and suddenly knock or barge down doors with masks on and pull people from their homes.

I recall someone telling me ice was 'only targeting illegal' people. Well apparently we see that is not true at all.

I have told my daughters they must be extra careful when they are out since two of them clearly look Mexican.

I guess what I am saying considering it is now 9:30 at night and I am just now writing about one of my favorite activists is ... it was hard to write about this special day.

I feel things to deeply and it can be very discouraging to me to see such blatant ignorance in our nation right now. Almost to the point of - how can we continue a dream a man had for us when we are seeing so much happen that is allowed in our country? Bold face murders, denial of justice and looking the other way when someone is hurt.

But I won't stop believing and acting on what King wanted for us.

King said: 'Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter to us.'

I was almost silent today. There is no way I will remain silent about the things that matter to me. Ever. Lives matter. All lives matter to me.

King also said: 'When evil men plot, good men must plan.' This goes for us women too. We must not be afraid to speak up about the things that matter to us. And we must become allies to those who are easily disposed because there was a day when we too, were non-existent and ignored.

I want my daughters to speak up and believe in righteousness.

Mostly I want my children to be a mirror of who Jesus was to all. Martin Luther King, Jr. was way more like Jesus than our 'president' can ever be ... and to me, that demonstrates the direction of our nation.

But it does not have to be this way - we can display more goodness, freedom, safety, community and do so more obviously for others to see - all the time.

This weekend I was in a small downtown grocery store, I wanted to get my daughter fruit snacks and the same time I looked at them, so did another mom.

We both commented at the cost of the fruit snacks and how we would have to pass them up. We each went on about our shopping.

After a moment, I went back for a box of the least expensive ones and I bought them, found the mom in the store and told her from one mom to another this is who we are and can be for each other. I said this is what God wants of us. She was shocked and smiled and almost cried. She thanked me and I told her I would be praying for both of us.

I thought about the person [and others] who disagree with King about effects of capitalism and how they would not likely make small talk with the mom, how they would not think to take the time to purchase her a box of fruit snacks or worse yet, how if they read this, they might assume she couldn't afford them because she doesn't use her money the way they would ... how judgmental they would be of her. I realize how speculative this is ... or is it?

Well, I don't always use my money wisely either, but I make sure to use what I have on others when I can. And though, I cannot put a mark on capitalism, I can make my own mark in my small corner of the world on bringing people together to help one another.

That mom may never think of me again. But, I like to imagine that either her or the cashier who knew what I was doing would see there can be love and graciousness in our world amidst the chaos.

I watched a short documentary on how King and Obama had basketball in common. And how they used it to connect with their neighbors and several people. How in each state that Obama traveled to during his campaign, he would make sure to stop and play a game of basketball with his colleagues, followers or kids in neighborhoods.

I won't stop being who I am. One who wants to do as Jesus did for so many people. I'd also love to flip some tables. I know some of you don't want to hear this or believe it but Jesus was a liberal. And a pretty darn cool one at that.

Martin Luther King Jr. wanted everyone to be treated fairly, justice for all, civil rights for people of color.

I won't stop dreaming and believing in fair and equal justice and also being disturbed by the actions of those who are selfish, think they can control others by means of manipulation, control and violence. That is not how it is supposed to be.

Believe in Rev. Dr. Kings vision and combine it with who Jesus was and is - believe it is possible.

#MLKday #MartinLutherKingJr #Ihaveadream #fairjustice #civilrights #Jesuswasaliberal

#prayfirst #believeinyourself #thehereandnow #life #thinking #standforwhatsright #singlemomlife #unmakingamess