The Dream … Is It Still Alive? In Honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

1

As a mom of two young African American boys, I realize that there are conversations my husband and I will have to have with our sons that other parents will not all because of our ethnic background. My heart sunk just the other day while placing my son’s hoodie on his head, realizing that one day it will no longer be in his best interests because it falls into racial profiling. It grieves my heart to know that one day the same faces that smile and complement our sons on being so cute and handsome, will be the same faces that see them as a threat because the color of their skin.

I also didn’t think that at the age of four I would be having a conversation with my daughter on why her skin tone was different than her peers or why her hair was not straight and blonde like her classmates and Elsa. I knew that one day the conversation would come, and whenever it did, I had to be ready. Explaining to your child why they look different from their peers is not the challenge. Having to explain to your child racism and colorism when they will be the potential target is.

My Three Beautiful Children
My Three Beautiful Children

In our family, history is very important. We don’t look to the teachers, the church, or society to educate our children because we believe we should be their first teachers. So, when it comes to Martin Luther King Jr. and other famous African Americans, we are very intentional about making sure our children know where they come from and their rich history.

It is also important for us to expose our children not only to our culture but to others. As parents we don’t live segregated lives nor will our children. Before moving to SC, I was praying that God would allow us to find a church that looked like our personal community, which is multi-racial. I pride myself in having a diverse community of friends and interests to living in Washington state for seven years! I am beyond grateful that we found that church, International Praise Church of God in Elgin, SC. I love that we worship and fellowship with Christians from all over the world. While we acknowledge and honor our differences respectively, we also know that what matters most is that we are sisters and brothers in Christ.

I saw Selma, a biographical movie about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the historic marches in Selma, Alabama. I remember anticipating and asking myself what would the movie be like? Over the course of those two hours, I felt every emotion possible ranging from rage, disappointment, sadness, joy, and fear. I shed tears as I watched mothers have to bury innocent children lives taken by the 16th St. Baptist Church Bombing. It was by far the best movie of the year even though it didn’t get nominated for an Oscar (but the lack of diversity at the Oscars is best suited for another blog post).

selma

On the way back home my husband and I conversed about the movie. I asked my husband, “What do you think Dr. King and those apart of the Civil Rights Movement would say today?” Would they be disappointed? Would they be proud? We are all moved by the poetic speech, ” I Have a Dream,” but are we keeping that dream alive in our home, are we taking it out into our workplace and community?

I believe Dr. King would say that yes, we have made great milestones in history and upon society, however as a society we still have a way to tread. Why? Because there is just as much senseless crime of ethnic groups against one another, senseless murders of blacks and other people of color being killed by police, terrorists attacks that don’t fall short of the church burning such as the Charleston Nine, San Bernadino, Chibok School Girls Kidnapping, United for Paris, and the list goes on.

There is so much hatred that exists in the hearts and minds of people. So while we may have made accomplishments, I am also convicted when I ask myself, “Do we carry the dream on?” I am proud that I no longer have to spend MLK day in downtown Columbia marching for the Confederate flag to come down but saddened that it took the lives of nine to be loss before recognizing the hate it infiltrated.

Black Lives Matter,,,,Because All Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter……Because All Lives Matter

My question to you … are you keeping the dream alive, ensuring that we teach our children beyond one day or month of the year? More importantly teaching them the importance of loving a person beyond their demographics or physical makeup?

Previous articleCelebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. With Your Family
Next articleThe Perks of Pumping
Ashley Thomas
A small town southern belle, Ashley Thomas is a native of Sandy Run, S.C., and recently relocated back home after 10 years. She is the proud Army Spouse to Maj. Curtis A. Thomas and does not take her role lightly. Her life as military spouse has allowed her to experience her fair share of moving, transitioning in between working and as an AHM, deployments, and learning of new cultures. She is a graduate of Columbia College where she attained a B.A. in Psychology and the University of Washington-MSW. Ashley’s background is in education, child welfare, and community health. She is the mother of three amazing children (Corinne 4 ½, Caleb 2 ½, and Collin 6 months) who challenge her daily to lean more on God, stretch her faith, and never stop growing. In January 2014, Ashley ventured out to start her non-profit The Hive Community Circle. She also serves as a mentor for her alma mater Columbia College. In her free time when she can grab it, Ashley enjoys spending time with her family, being pinned up on Pinterest, baking, spending time with her hubby, and fellowshipping with her girlfriends. Besides being passionate about education and social justice, Ashley is also passionate about empowering and challenging women to walk in transparency. Her hope is that through her writings, mothers will be challenged to extend love and grace first to themselves, find inspiration and a sense of belonging, laugh a little, and once started, never stop living! You can follow Ashley on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

1 COMMENT

  1. […] the month of January as we recognized Martin Luther King Jr., I shared how disheartening it is as mother to know the same society that sees the innocence in my two sons and tells them how handsome they […]

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here