Done

I can’t even express exactly how I’m feeling at the moment but it all boils down to me being so done, sooo amazingly threw. And it just keeps on coming.

MLK Day

You know you’re grown when you aren’t guaranteed all the holidays off, i.e. today. Today is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Most of America has this day off to honor this important person. It’s sort of weird not to have the day off considering I have for all of my life. But I decided to take on a different perspective. Instead of having negative feelings about having to work on the day celebrating a man who drastically shaped this country, I’m appreciating the fact that I am able to work and I have a good job. Without the influence and dedication of Dr. King and many other Civil Rights activists, I might not be sitting here right now. Because of the events that took place during the Civil Rights movement, I have access to more resources than my grandparents did and am able to pursue what I want. I don’t have to sit around thinking if I will be will allowed to do something simply because I’m African American. Not to say that there aren’t struggles still going on in this country, but it’s definitely better than what previous generations were presented with. Days like this make me extremely grateful for what I have and the different opportunities I was able to partake in. And thankful that I have parents who drove me to want bigger and better things for myself.

This year marks the 40 year anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination. How things have changed in 40 years? It’s actually scary to think of what it would be like if people like Dr. King, Malcolm X and Rosa Parks didn’t take a stand. And those are just some of the more famous people. There were countless people making a stand to ensure future generations were treated better.

What’s even sadder is the fact that there are so many people who are able to benefit from the struggles of our past generations but who do not for whatever reason. The lack of motivation and encouragement is astounding. And this transcends throughout many communities and cultures in this country.

I’m just hoping that in the next 40 years, even more and greater change will happen.