MLK Day to Us

The very first MLK March in Atlanta in the mid-80s was such a privilege to be a part of.  Reagan had JUST announced the holiday, and all of Atlanta rejoiced.   I walked with Mary and Geoff. They had made a beautiful "Live the Dream" sign, bein the beautiful live the dream kind of people they are.  Mary and I kept swooning since Bruce Springsteen's drummer was walking in front of us. Years later, I'm still going...I got married, had a baby, put him in a stroller and said, "Wanna go to a parade about rights?" We go every year to this great celebration in downtown Atlanta.  Tommy has attended all but one since his birthday in November, 2003.  My mother attended the March on Washington in 1968. so it feels like a family tradition well worth celebrating.  And with Tommy and his autism, it has a new and profound meaning for me because civil rights are not just about color, as we all know.  Tommy's rights, which are uniquely protected in this country, are woven into the greater web of all people who have been discriminated against based on color, religion, sexual preference, age, gender, and perhaps most of all, intellectual functioning.

 It's a big deal to me.  This year, Marsha came and she's African-American and it was so lovely to have her helping and holding Tommy during the March.  I thought what a great display of the dream they were that day, which is just for everyone to get along and love one another regardless, isn't it? My sister Mary came with her son, who is half Jamaican, and he and his friends (2 black one white) joined the March.   

As far as Tommy.  Other than jumping into a downtown fountain (sigh), he did quite well and I was so happy he made it to his 9th Martin Luther King Jr. March in Atlanta.  A special thank you to Marsha for her patience with him and her success in helping him not hit himself or anybody else...

We will keep going, because it's important.  The world's most horrible problems are borne of intolerance.  You think your religion, your race, your political stance, or your opinion, is better.  And you decide that it's ok to mistreat and discriminate against others because they are different, new, weaker, flawed in your eyes. Keep loving, yes, but also, persevere and keep fighting for your rights, the rights of your neighbors, and do it steadfastly and consistently. NEVER GIVE UP. Thank you, Martin Luther King Jr.