What would MLK think?

At the end of last week at work (school) as we approached the long weekend, we spoke of Martin Luther King Jr. in Social Studies. I also worked with 3 students in Language Arts and shared the story of Ruby Bridges. It’s been many years since I read about Ruby. Her story as an innocent child and the treatment she endured, truly hurt my heart. Between her story and MLK’s “I have a dream” speech, it really saddened me, partially because of what so many people of color have been through but what saddened me even more is that prejudice is still a thing right now in our country in 2024. 

I am sure my opinion will feel offensive to some and in no way is that my intention but, I feel so many things on this subject. First and foremost, I don’t think there should be any type of prejudice in our world. I have always believed that there is only one race and that is the human race, which has nothing to do with color, religion or gender. We have all been made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27).

When the Black Lives Matter movement became huge in the headlines and the news, I was in support as I felt for people of color who were discriminated against. I do however feel that their movement has lost a lot of credibility because of the violent protests, fighting and looting. I realize that more than not, most of the protests have been peaceful and the news shares only what they want us to see. In my opinion the violent protests made me lose respect for something that could have made things better for those who are discriminated against. I also feel that many people use the race card in many situations. I am not saying that some haven’t been stereotyped or abused by law enforcement and others but, just like not all BLM movements were violent, not all police officers are bad. I believe there are actually more good cops than bad cops. I also feel that prejudice against white people and Christians is at an all time high which is just as wrong. I am so tired of hearing about “white privilege”, a white person can’t help being white any more than a black person can choose to be black. The only thing we can control is our heart. We can choose to be kind to everyone, we can accept differences and realize that as my husband would say, “we all put our pants on one leg at a time.” Another words, nobody is better than any one else.

I feel as if MLK would be rolling in his grave right now, his dream has become a nightmare. Our country should be ashamed that prejudice still exists today, I just don’t get it. I wish everyone would look beyond the color of skin and as MLK said, judge them on the content of their character.

I also have a dream, that this evil world we live in, that consists of prejudice, thieves, pedophiles, sex traffickers, liars, rapists, murderers and so many other people who choose sin, will turn away from their evil acts and desires and turn back to God!