As I sit on my kitchen table, enjoying a simple coffee, I think about this day.
My family immigrated here from Fiji Islands.
I was born in the US.
I have had opportunities that others would only dream of. I am no better than the others, just lucky.
I was born in the ’80s, some 20 years after the civil rights movement.
The simple pleasures in life, aren’t so simple. Today I reflect on these simple pleasures and remember that they came with the sweat, tears, and sacrifice of countless brave souls before me.
Visions of Birmingham jog my mind. The poetry spoken of content of character and not color of skin, makes my heart skip a beat.
Dr. King, I hope your spirit is here. If it is, I would say, Happy Birthday and Thank you.
The work is not done, but your legacy of non-violence and love has made us all better. I will continue the fight, in the best way I know-how.
When I think of you, I recall the words of the late Indian poet, Rabindranath Tagore:
“The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.”