Naleighna Kai's Literary Cafe Magazine BH Magazine Final | Page 14

The Impossible Dream Angelia Vernon Menchan On January 21, 2019, we celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. On cue on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, there were endless streams of images with some of his more famous and a few of his less famous quotes. Seems like the whole Civil Rights Movement became watered down to a soundbite, or a few words with a photo. Donzaleigh Abernathy grew up in a world where loss permeated all aspects of life. She grew up in a world where police surrounded them as they played in their backyard. She went to school being called the “N” word every day. Yet, she explained in the video, “I didn’t have the luxury of being mediocre because I represented people who looked like me.” In today’s environment, we are reminded daily of the issues surrounding race in America. If the 2018 election did one thing, it ripped the rose-colored glasses from the eyes of those with the luxury to wear them and shined a spotlight on the racial disparity in America. She also mentioned that Dr. King’s favorite song was, “To Dream The Impossible Dream.” That held profound meaning for me. Last year, I found myself worn by explicit and implicit bias in America both from personal experience and from media stories. I figured that was life in America. It didn’t sit well with me. I wasn’t raised to just accept status quo, but I felt helpless. However, some Americans experience it every day. They weren’t surprised that white supremacists exist and were emboldened. Some American weren’t shocked that Donald Trump won the election. That is the world in which we live. If that isn’t enough, the United Nations has cast its eye on the racial disparities in the United States and the justice system, in particular. If you are unaware, please visit the following links: https://www.sentencingproject.org/publications/un- report-on-racial-disparities/ https://qz.com/303965/un-blasts-the-american- justice-system-in-torture-report/ However, on the day honoring Dr. King, I was fortunate enough to find a video featuring Donzaleigh Abernathy, the daughter of Ralph Abernathy (https:// www.facebook.com/attn/videos/1624566537578799). Ralph Abernathy stood next to Dr. King in the Civil Rights Movement as a Christian minister and best friend. So much so, Mr. Abernathy held Dr. King as his soul transitioned from this plane. 14 | NKLC Magazine But the thing is, I must dream the impossible dream. I must try every day for an existence that appears to be beyond my reach. I don’t believe that in my lifetime that we will live in a society free from discrimination or bias. That’s an impossible dream. But if I don’t try for the dream, then I’m not pushing for improvements --big or small. If I don’t call out injustices, then people aren’t accountable. I’m not inching my world closer toward the dream. I’m leaving the action to someone else. I’m on some bullsh*t. Donzaleigh Abernathy’s video ended with a call to action. She shared that her father’s epitaph states, “I tried.” Then she questioned, “What are you going to do?” For me, I don’t know what form action will take. I also don’t know if my contribution will be large or small. I do know that for me apathy isn’t enough. Neither is a meme.