01/19/2021
When I was young I found a drawing that my dad drew of Malcom X. I wondered who he was and why my dad would take the time to draw him... I hung it on my wall for years, staring into the eyes of a man I knew little about.
And here I find myself, years later, hunched over for hours drawing Martin Luther King Jr. and quickly I realized why my father poured his talents into that drawing of Malcolm X.
Both strong Black men, pivotal in Civil Rights Movements, pioneering and paving the way for human rights for future generations so that no one would suffer the way my ancestors suffered.
As I drew I listened to MLK’s speeches. American Dream... I Have a Dream... his powerful messages moving me to tears as I mourned for the loss of my Black Brothers and Sisters, not only in flesh, but of hopes and dreams robbed from them through policies and laws.
As a mixed woman, White passing, I have a duty of allyship towards my Black communities. It goes further than a hashtag post, or a black tile on my Instagram feed - it goes deep into uncovering systemic injustices and mourning the losses. It demands hard conversations and firm boundaries. It demands time and the commitment to educating others on the true nature of our history - American and Canadian alike.
So, to you, Dr. King.
A Christian revolutionary, anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist. A man braver than I could ever dare to be. A man who crossed borders of hatred to speak lessons of Love. A man dedicated to the cohesion of mankind on the basis of equality. A man ripped from the arms of a community still mourning...
To you, Dr. King. May we all embody the true spirit of your words: Love. Love. Love. 💕
