Dr. King, I Failed Today!
I was once again fortunate to have been able to present at the Martin Luther King Voice4Youth finals today. This very special stage brings the youth of Delaware together to discuss what is important to them as individuals.
While I should be thrilled with the results this year as well, I am not. The three top awardees including myself were from the same school; a school that is ranked the best in Delaware and amongst the elite in the Country.
Here is some background: I have participated twice and have been one of the top three finalists both times. In fact, someone or the other from my school has been a top three finalist almost every year in this state level competition. And this year...three students from my school participated and all three of us took the podium. All three of us happen to be of Asian origin.
One. This was like a deja vu from #AllWhiteOscars
Two. I understood today that I had not understood MLK’s message at all till today
Do the people most impacted by the issues we spoke of, not get it? For someone relegated to a lifetime of limitations, I can’t imagine what they could be clearer about. Then why is someone (like me) who is only equipped with second hand knowledge, a “better” proponent of MLK’s message?
No. I didn’t get it. At all, till today. Given the time, resources and support, any one of the black contestants could have smoked us!
Am I impacted by racism? Yes. But like I said in my speech, all racism is not the same. Yes, the racism I experienced has given me a set of challenges I could happily do without. Still, I believe the challenges faced by a lot of my black friends are far greater than what I will ever experience in my life.
In Dr. King's spirit of empowerment, I believe we need to put more emphasis on Equity (click for a 5 min lesson on “Equity” that you need to watch) ensuring that all contestants have an equal footing when they step on to that special stage.
SO, WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?
I was slow, but I finally got here. MLK Day celebration is not just about giving speeches and winning competitions. It is about doing! I am going to better spend my time and coach anyone and everyone willing. I shall give a voice to the unheard. .
Equity is not about “giving away” the prize, it is rather about providing the opportunity for everyone to have a fair shot at the prize. It is about ensuring that everyone ‘can’ live up to their full potential. Dr. King's message remains as relevant today as it was fifty years ago (as I experienced/realized today).
There remains a need for hope, as well as the need for continued action. It just takes some of us longer to understand that !!
My MLK Day speeches:
