Any historical figure, even one who lived so recently as Martin Luther King, Jr., tends to be reduced to two dimensions. Even one as eloquent, prolific, quoted, interviewed, etc. as King. To so many King is reduced to the one quote. As powerful a quote as it was, King had much, much more depth, nuance, and dimension than even those extraordinary words.
Yet….staying with the quote that includes “…I have a dream….” it is utterly astounding that in 2021 content of character is not the focus. Skin color is. Universality of humans is not the focus. Identity as pick one (black, hispanic, asian, woman, gay, trans, other letter, make up your own…) is.
When black students at universities call for segregation. Not for groups/clubs/other arrangements to be a celebration and exploration of the dynamic and enduring (and changing) culture of the black experience in America. But rather as a means of keeping whites out.
When Sarah Fuller, a complete token of a publicity stunt, is treated as if she were the Jackie Robinson (and Larry Doby) of Power 5 College Football…instead of the Make-A-Wish stunt that she was….??? Thereby denigrating all the WOMEN who have actually worked for, struggled and put effort into achieving competency and skill in a task or job. Who actively undercuts REAL achievement by women. Women who are therefore actually breaking down doors because they have EARNED it.
When attacks are staged and claimed to be done by straight white men who are Trump supporters….yet are fake (see the Muslim woman in Nov. 2016 who claimed to have been attacked by such…she was lying. See the actor in Chicago who staged the attack on himself and blamed Trump supporters, as did an athlete in Atlanta, as did ….many examples have occurred…..oh yeah…when the attempt was made to stop the nomination of a certain man (straight, white) to the Supreme Court by accepting a completely unsubstantiated claim as true…)…..when such falsehoods and forgeries are treated as true. And truth, principles, protection of individual rights and presumption of innocence are thrown away.
What would King have said? When those very principles were what ultimately protected those pressing for, demanding even, their rights and freedoms.
We are in an alternate reality. Where the very things that we saw and knew to be harmful to us….segregation by race because of race to harm or hurt one race…treating women as if they were not actually capable and had to be treated as if they were children, and then celebrating that “accomplishment” as if she had actually accomplished anything…are now that which so many seek. Demand, even. As long as white men can be attacked and blamed, then it’s ok. Even though………………….truth will win out…..and those general, generic attacks based on race and sex are fundamentally unfair and invalid.
What kind of world do you want to live in? One of freedom, dignity, respect? When will we stand up for our rights? Stand up for what’s right?