"True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice."
Quoted in Let the Trumpet Sound : A Life of Martin Luther
King, Jr (1982) by Stephen B. Oates
I have used the above quote in a previous blog post commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and it remains as relevant as ever at the beginning of this new year and decade. At a time when some are still fighting to be treated with dignity on public transportation:
I can’t get over this. After all @Sifill_LDF has been through with @Amtrak they need to do more than apologize. I’m still mad. https://t.co/xawGEEcTCh— Angela J. Davis (@angelajdavis) January 20, 2020
and
Amtrak has reversed course — at least partly — on its plan to charge two wheelchair users $25,000 for a two-hour train ride that usually costs $16.— NPR (@NPR) January 20, 2020
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said she will ask the company's CEO to meet with her to discuss its policies. https://t.co/hQTieJrtvn
I never take my privilege for granted. I was involved in a service project today, and it filled me with happiness to see so many showing up in my community (many with their small children in tow) to mark all that MLK, Jr.'s work stood for.
Of course, as Bernice King talked about today, it cannot only be about just one day, right? I have been involved in a long-term service project, and trust me when I tell you it is difficult to show up every day and do emotionally difficult work, but I do so precisely because it is difficult, despite my white, cisgendered privilege (though, as a female, gender equity remains unfinished business, but that's for another day).
I hope each of you commemorated today in a way most relevant for you. Never take your own privilege for granted, yet never give up hope that one day we all will sit in the privileged seat.
