January 15, 2009: Martin Luther King Day & Equal Rights

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr.'s (MLK's) birthday. He was a great man; struggling for civil rights, and an eloquent speaker.

I will never forget going to the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN where Mr. King was assasinated; it's in the hotel where he was. I couldn't find the museum at first, as it looks like the hotel, and I was unfamiliar w/the area. Anyway, once inside there was powerful, and shocking, information about racism and civil rights in America. It is horrible what was done to the natives of Africa (and other nations) in the slave trade, and after in America.

Very similarly, the National Museum of the American Indian on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. has powerful, and shocking, information about... well, essentially cultural and literal genocide of the native american peoples in the United States. It is horrible what was done to the Native Peoples, and is still done (I have heard of it from native friends I have).

So MLK had a dream, about people of all races living in equality (at least that's how I would simplify and interepret his "I have a dream" speech). It's a wonderful dream, and one that's becoming a reality. :)

I will add that many of us are still struggling, though, for the dream to become reality. There are still many races, sexualities, genders, etc. fighting, hoping, and dreaming of equality. African-American (or Black, to simplify and broaden who's included) people , Native American, Homosexual/Lesbian/Bi, Transgendered, Queer, Latino/Latina, Asian,... the list goes on. Even white females and males are living by strict standards and are subject to gender prejudice if nothing else. [No, I'm not suggesting white males are underpriveledged or even generally less advantaged than others in the USA; there is, however, prejudice if someone steps outside the 'Norm.' My blog here can attest to that.]

There are too many people still having to fight for the dream of equality. Society doesn't move fast, and apparently won't move without a 'movement' to help it along. So, dear reader, if you care about transgendered rights, or civil rights, or human rights, I encourage you to join a movement to make those rights come about. I encourage you to fight prejudice and injustice in little ways always, in big ways when you can. Give your time, your money, whatever you can afford to give. I firmly believe that treating everyone (and everything) with respect is a great way to show the world how things can be better.

Love,
Kim

p.s.: Here's my Yahoo Avatar in honor of MLK: