Thinking Forward

 .....I have a dream.

"The color of their skin."  Why does skin color matter?  Dig deep and ask yourselves that question. If your answer is that people of color are bad, are "thugs," are criminals, I can guarantee you that there are just as many white people that fall into the same category. Our daughter is a social worker in the prison system. She can back up my claim. Everyone makes poor choices at some point in time. It's part of the learning process.  The fact remains that, based on skin color, there is no difference.

"The content of their character."  Do a Google search for people of color that have changed history. Here are just a few: Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander-the first black women to ear an Ph.D in economics and a law degree. Maya Angelou-a poet. Her works have been considered a defense and celebration of black culture.  Arthur Ashe-Tennis player and founder of the Arthur Ashe Foundation. Received the Medal of Freedom, posthumously.  Ruby Bridges-a just six years old, she was the first person of color to attend and all white school, playing alone at recess, but not missing a single day of school. (How would you feel if your child had to play alone just because of the color of their skin?) Kobe Bryant-besides being a great basketball player, he and his wife started a foundation to address homelessness in Los Angeles. Octavius V. Catto-in part responsible for the 15th Amendment which barred voter discrimination based on race. Bessie Coleman-the first back woman aviator, earning her wings in a record seven months! Rudolph Fisher-physician, radiologist, novelist, and musician. Sojourner Truth-an abolitionist who lectured about racial and gender inferiority. The women of "Hidden Figures," the story of the African-American women behind the scenes at NASA. They are Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Dorothy Vaughan.

     On this, the weekend before we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his words have a profound meaning to me, particularly. You see, eight years ago, on January 18th, we were blessed with our first grandchild. I have said all along that this child radiates pure joy!  Friend! This child is going to move mountains and change the world.   In this photo she is just five years old. She is now thirteen. She is in Junior Honor Society, Honors Band, and plays libero on a traveling volleyball team! She is spunky and sassy and an absolute joy to be around. Just to know her is to love her!

     Had it not been for forward-thinking people, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., would she be a part of our family? I can't be sure, however I know that our lives are blessed and so much better because of her. I thank God everyday for her mom and dad who went through insurmountable odd to bring her into our family. I wish I could share their heroic story, though it is not my story to tell. We are blessed!