Happy Martin Luther King Day; Never Quit Dreaming

Happy Martin Luther King Day curly girlies! Today we commemorate the life and work of Nobel Prize winning, Civil Rights Leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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A pioneer in the Civil Rights movement, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s nonviolent approach to social activism successfully altered the course of American history, by igniting the power keg of justice, on behalf of all culturally marginalized citizens. You would think that nearly one hundred years after the conclusion of the Civil War and the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, “five score years ago”, the emotional and physical security of following generations of these- now American citizens- would have been protected by both the state and federal government. However, for anyone who has sat in on an American History class, you know that this was not the case.

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The 1896 case of Plessy vs. Ferguson supported the idealized intent behind the concept of “separate but equal”, ultimately justifying the state’s right to determine and restrict the civil liberties of any African American citizen, as they saw fit. Consequentially, this set off a violent domino effect of rampant social injustice, throughout the early 20th century. African Americans were regarded as second-class citizens whose only expectation was to passively accept whatever abuse they were forced to endure. This regular violation of African American civil liberties led many to believe that to hope for any semblance of equality was a futile notion- never a reality, forever a dream. That is, until Dr. King bravely stood up in defense of the African American community, providing a voice for those too downtrodden or shell shocked in fear, to speak for themselves.

Dr. Martin Luther King’s Address at the March on Washington. August 28, 1963.

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Dr. King selflessly dedicated his life to the proactive pursuit of peace, in a society plagued with intense bigotry. Though a dangerous mission, his devotion to correcting these undeniable societal transgressions ultimately resurrected the forgotten “unalienable rights” composed by the founding fathers, which promised  “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”, for all American citizens.

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A half score after the delivery of King’s notorious I Have a Dream speech, it cannot be denied that racial tension still permeates the contemporary social climate, but to think Dr. King’s work did not allow for any significant progress to really occur, is completely erroneous. A crusader against social injustice and a harmonious voice of change, Dr. King’s dream inspired an entire generation to dream. His leadership during the Civil Rights Movement inspired people to come together, encouraging unyielding hope and compassion, especially against the odds.

In his infamous, I Have a Dream speech, Dr. King states, “ We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.” Martin Luther King’s legacy lives on in the hearts of those brave enough to continue to push foreword, even and especially in the face of adversity. It is this kind of determination that inspired and motivated Miko and Titi Branch for success, taking Miss Jessie’s out of the kitchen in their Bedstuy brownstone, and into the mainstream. With hard work and unwavering faith, their dream for a diverse, curl focused product line has since become a reality, broadening the once narrow perception of “good hair”.

I think the best way to celebrate this holiday, properly commemorating Martin Luther King’s lifetime of contributions, is to make a pledge to never stop dreaming. Never settle for anything less than what you believe you deserve, and in standing up for yourself, remember to also protect those incapable of defending themselves. Despite the negativity existing within the world, “Refuse to believe the bank of justice is bankrupt”. Have faith in yourself, and when all else fails, just keep it moving foreword.

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And don’t forget to check out the latest Golden Globe Award winning, historical drama about the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Selma, now playing in theaters. Check out the trailer below!

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