Today we as a nation pay homage to the great legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As a Morehouse Man, there is a special significance to honoring his great legacy, because it was the college where King really began the journey to become the revered figure that he in today’s society. He has statues and a building named in his honor and the school is all to happy to pay tribute to the legend that he was with countless images  and quotes that he made.

You know it’s kind of funny that in the lifestyle I live, we use this holiday to symbolize the unofficial start to the Gay Pride season. When so many flock to Atlanta and other major metropolitan cities to celebrate themselves, more than they really pay tribute to this great legend.

I am always taken aback to the great speech he made that galvanized this country. When he stood on hollowed grounds in Washington D.C. and delivered one of the most timeless and referenced speeches in American history. See he outlined the way forward for our country during a time when we were deeply divided and trying to find the stability between freedom and tradition.

He dreamed of a society that did not judge you based upon your skin complexion, but how intelligent you were and what you could bring to the table. He talked about a country that could see past all the racial, gender, and stereotypical divides to become the beacon that shines in the darkness. He talked about leaving behind a country that could flourish and come together as a people to advance all social issues that led to inequality.

As we sit today looking back, we have come a long way since King. We are not in a civilization where we have separate bathrooms for Black people and White people. We are not in a time where Black people can’t get into schools that were founded and protected for Whites. We are not in a time when the KKK is a rampid organization terrorizing the world.

But, we are not completely realizing the dream that King had. Yes, we have realized the election and re-election of the first Black President, but we still have a country that is starkly divided among racial, gender, sexual orientation, and financial backgrounds. So if I were challenging people today it would be, to think outside of your own box.

Take some time to see the world from another one’s point of view. One that doesn’t look like you, act like you, sound like you. See once we realize that even though we all come from different backgrounds, we are all one people that have common interests that cut across all divides we can humanize one another so much better and begin to heal a lot of the scars and wounds that have developed due to the history and lineage of this nation.