I
t is Monday night and I am reflecting on my long MLK weekend.
It was four days of praying, marching, preaching, eating, and hoping together.
Charlotte’s MLK Parade had a short route filled with spirit
along Tryon Street from 11th Street to Stonewall
but sadly the road ahead seems so long…
and our problems seems so great
This morning, Malcolm Graham spoke about Dylan Roof
stealing his sister’s life as she and nine others
closed their eyes and bowed their heads in prayer at Emmanuel AME Zion in Charleston.
He spoke of the sins of mass incarceration,
and the lack of equitable opportunity in our Queen City.
Charlotte ranked 50th out of 50 cities in upward economic mobility.
It is harder in Charlotte than any other city to make your way out of poverty.
Reverend Amantha Barbee spoke eloquently on these same themes
and additionally focused on the plight of poverty
and inequitable education in our city.
How shortsighted our leaders have been!
Education leads to employment and to creating citizens
who support the tax base and economic success of our city.
It is Monday evening of MLK weekend.
It was a long weekend of dreaming
of how we can fulfill the dream
and live the love of our African American brothers and sisters.
Now there are 361 days left till next MLK Shabbat and weekend.
361 days to see each other’s faces
to hear each other’s stories and struggles
to speak for each other in support
to celebrate each other’s strengths
and to walk and work together
to create a better future
and a better human family.
