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Unquestionably, this was a virtuous and pious choice.
After I personally considered all of history's prodigious
occurrences, I chose an event that was as impacting and critical
as the Exodus. I traveled back to Montgomery, Alabama - to the
day that the Montgomery Improvement Association asked Dr. King
to become their spokesperson in leading history's largest boycott.
This boycott birthed the Civil Rights Movement and eradicated
segregation. As I reflect on such a remarkable incident, I pay
tribute to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and our collective
efforts in continuing his legacy.
As I glanced back in history, I was reminded that it was just
fifty years ago, when little white children and little black
children couldn't hold hands and sing. That was a time when segregation
was an everyday part of American life. African Americans were
treated as second class citizens in a country in which they helped
to build. It was daily news for people of color to be threatened,
beaten, and killed because America embraced segregation. History
teaches eight years before I was born, there were separate neighborhoods,
schools, public facilities, and water fountains. We were forced
to enter through back entrances of many facilities, even being
compelled to ride at the back of the bus, until a courageous
and God sent woman refused to move to the back of the bus.
It was then that fifty thousand individuals mobilized and
boycotted the bus system. With valor and being led by Dr. King,
African Americans sought change. Unified and committed they began
to march for equal rights in all aspects of life. This stance
proved to be sacrificial and dangerous. Yet, not even unleashed
water hoses and attack dogs could turn them back. With fervor
they continued this march, not caring who would be wrongly jailed
or who might have to sacrifice their life; the bold zealots marched
on. On and on they marched, becoming weary and at times many
were physically unable to continue on; yet, they chanted from
the profundity of their souls, we won't be turned back. Unremittingly,
they pressed on and change occurred. The fruits of their labor
rendered me and all other African Americans, the right to be
treated as first class citizens.
As I sit here, privileged to write, I humbly thank you Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. and others, for my opportunity to write,
teach, and speak unaffected and without incident. Thank you,
for granting all African Americans the choice of being educated
equally and fairly. I could never thank you enough, that I can
eat at any lunch counter and enter all facilities using the front
entrance. But more than that, I thank you Dr. King because my
four sons can play with all the girls and boys regardless of
race, color or creed.
Lela McGee, a Michigan resident, is the author of 'Wakening'
- the first book in a seven book series called 'The Path'.
(distributed
through BlackPR.com/BlackNews.com)
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