Martin Luther King Day

We all remember that fateful day fifty years ago when one of the greatest speeches ever delivered in America changed the way we looked at the freedom movement. It elevated the question and opened dialogue which led to massive changes in the American way of life. The million people who witnessed the event left Washington with a resolve of hope and they made a difference.

In  Canada where many of our citizens live a sheltered life in quiet towns and rural areas where prejudice is just another word that has meaning out there became forced to recognize the evil of the situation in America where African Americans had few rights and  were treated like second class citizens. The closest parallel we had in Canada was the treatment of the aboriginal population who are segregated on reserves and are mired in poverty and are treated as second class citizens by our government.

Most everyone now believe in the equality of all people regardless of race, color, or religion. The fact remains that millions of peoples of the world suffer because they live in societies where these truths are not a reality for them. Mr King was not just fighting for the black people of America but everyone who lived under the yolk of discrimination.

I have lived in America and have travelled extensively and can say that although there has been a tremendous change in the last fifty years but there is still room for improvement and it will be slow in coming. The younger generations will be the chief agents of change  as the old guard leave the leadership roles to the youth of tomorrow. How proud we can be of the memory of Martin King and his courageous role he played in making a difference. It tells every person that they to can really make a difference if they only try.