My Own Little Reminder of Dr. King's Legacy

I grew up just outside of Detroit, in the small town of Pontiac, Michigan. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday wasn't as widely "celebrated" by most of the institutions there (not in the 90s. This may now be different). My mom worked in the hospital pretty much all her life, and my dad ran his own business, so every day game as a work day for my parents. They never really stayed home in observance of this day. It was significant and celebrated, to an extent, but as a kid who went to a predominantly white, private grade school. It was just another day for me. My school was always in session, and for a child, you can't consider it an important holiday if you still have to attend school. 

Now, here I am, a grown woman living in the birth place and hometown of Martin Luther King Jr. himself. I've stood on the porch of the house he grew up in, i've been inside of the original Ebeneezer Baptist Church, and I've physically felt the atmosphere of his legacy in a way I never felt until I moved to Atlanta. It's an indescribable feeling.

I came this space today wanting to say SOMETHING about Dr. King, but I honestly don't know what I can say that hasn't already been said before or expressed in a film adaptation of his life. 

Unfortunately, I couldn't make it to the King Center this year for the annual celebration. I went to work early this morning and took a half day, which is more than i've ever gotten, at any job, in honor of this day (my last salaried position didn't even count this day as a company holiday). I'll make it a point to head downtown next year for the festivities, and I'll be watching Selma later this evening as my own little reminder of Dr. King's legacy. 

♥