Dear Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dear Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I can't ever imagine you being the type of guy who would approve of later generations merely quoting you and creating “inspirational memes,” without possessing an actionable aspiration for equality, justice, and unity. You sir, disrupted and denounced facades. You pushed and leaned into discomfort. You stood up and marched. You loved and celebrated differences. How do we do the same?

Well let’s start somewhere, shall we? Because we cannot afford nor accommodate complacency any longer.

Here's what I've been learning over the past few years:

Contrast – the state of being strikingly different from something else.

Isn't there is something incredible about two unlike colors, contents, words, thoughts, or personalities juxtaposed together, highlighting the magnificence of their difference? Honestly, the same goes for people.

We live in communities with opportunities. Opportunities to engage with, love on, listen to, learn and grow from others who are different than us. While some might consider this a nuisance or unnecessary, and shame on them, I challenge you to consider it an honor and privilege.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “The time is always right to do the right thing.” And RIGHT NOW more than ever, the RIGHT THING is to build bridges, reconcile, amend, understand our BIPOC neighbors and their struggles, and fight against cruel and maligned injustice. The beauty in doing so, we will all see the magnificence in the difference– the beauty in the contrast.

If we condemn contrast, we will repress freedom. But if we learn to celebrate contrast, we will cultivate unity.

Don't take a day off. Go in peace and make peace.

Post originally created for @generationdistinct.