Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. Through the Eyes of a Child

Again, we recognize and honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for the changes brought to our great nation through his vision and the impact it had on the civil rights of so many human beings.

This has become an extensive conversation around our home over the past couple years, particularly because our youngest child is African American. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision has raised many questions for our beautiful daughter.

How do you explain to a child that once upon a time our communities treated others differently because of the color of their skin?  And how do you explain that some of these things still happen today?

These are heart-wrenching conversations and ones we won’t ignore when we answer the questions from a 7-year-old who asks, “Why was there a brown water fountain and a white water fountain?” and “Why did brown kids have to go to different schools and why couldn’t they sit with the white children on the bus?”  Yes, she asks and yet she will answer you, too.  She will tell you God made us all.  HE chose our skin, our eyes, our hearts and our families.  She will tell you no one is different because of skin color.  She will tell you a bad person didn’t like what Martin Luther King, Jr. fought for and assassinated him.

Shauney understands there are some very bad people in this world.  She understands bad people come in all colors just like the good people.  Perhaps most importantly, my daughter understands that we were all created equally by the same God.  Each of us were chosen to fulfill a purpose in this world.  She knows the color of her skin and the color of my skin makes absolutely no difference on who we are, or our status here on earth. It’s our souls that make us find our place in the life that really matters.

My child, in her short life, has already experienced inappropriate questions and statements from other children that revolve around her skin color. You may think it’s the inquisitiveness of children or out of the mouths of babes.  I say it’s because those children are not being properly raised.  The parents should make a point to set an example of how people should be treated. If you are strictly a “white” family and don’t think these things impact you, think again.  The morals and values instilled upon children sets the foundation for the adults they will one day become. We all have different pigmentation in our skin and it makes no difference – ALL LIVES MATTER.

So, I ask you—have you ever heard hatred is a great burden to bear?

That hatred that is carried creates a heaviness of anger and pain that is projected daily.  How can you fulfill your purpose with that burden on your shoulders? Let go of the hatred.  Release any energy you have put into the evil thoughts or actions you may still engage in today—it’s not too late for change.  We are all children of the same God and when you leave the physical world, material belongings and physical attributes do not follow you there—it’s all about your soul and the life you have lived; the contributions you have made to making life here a better place.

Thank you, Martin Luther King, Jr., for the sacrifices you made in fighting the good fight to set a better foundation for our children to build upon.