Good morning, Monday. Happy MLK Day, and this year, it's personal.
I think there has never been a more emotionally charged election in my lifetime. So much at stake. And now that the dust is clearing and reality bites, we need to do something. Many things.
A Facebook friend of mine posted yesterday that we need to stand behind this President, and stop whining and complaining. I respectfully disagreed as Trump has nowhere near earned my respect, but his point was not about the things we were whining about, but the fact that so many of us are talking and not doing. On this MLK Day, I was thinking about the importance of leadership in this revolution, which is being broadcast from our social media channels where the collective voice feels diluted and disorganized and just a cacophonous rabble with no real action just yet. Of course, the march the day after the Inauguration is a huge step. But we need the next MLK. The next Gloria Steinhem. The next Harriet Tubman or Susan B. Anthony or anyone who can lead the charge to keep our rights exactly where they belong, with us. This is a democracy, kids. We must fight this.
Truth is, many of us don't know what to do, because we've never had to do this much to defend ourselves and our rights. I can think of no time in my life where I have had to truly fight for my rights as an American. But that time is now. And I don't think I"m being a dramatic liberal here. Millions of Americans are in danger of losing their healthcare, their freedom of choice, their identity. What this movement needs is leadership and I'm praying people come forward to help motivate, organize, and make the right kind of noise. Maybe it's Bernie. Maybe it's Hillary. I'm not sure who it is right now but praying somebody or a few somebodies come forward to help.
Because what MLK gave this country and lost his life for was equal rights. Civil rights. Human rights. MLK was around before many of us were born, and feeling like his message is more important than ever. And it never went away. It's just right now I'm scared we're all talking too much because honestly- none of us know how to do this. None of us have ever felt such a deep need to protest. And all of us need a leader, who, if not the President, is someone who fights for America. We are at our best when we rebel. When we speak our minds. When we fight tyranny. Trump's claims of patriotism stand against everything I believe in. And don't represent American values. If you feel the same, we must fight together. But we need a leader. And hope we have one as these days turn into nights and years. (I doubt it will be years but that's another story).
So happy birthday to MLK and here's hoping his spirit rises and ignites in someone ready to fight. Many of us are ready to be soldiers, but we need a general. Cause that's what's up this is not over, just beginning kind of Monday in the 718. Yours, in having a dream, and keeping it alive. XO