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The Hole In The Road

Don’t Miss the Rainbow for the Hole In the Road.

Recently, we celebrated the anniversary of a great leader. This was a man who had a vision for his people. This was a man who had ideas for where his country should go. This man had a dream. A dream that his people would one day walk in peace and color would not be the first thing they seen. His name was Martin Luther King Jr.
Black and white film reels show Dr. King walking through the streets of many towns, his people behind him, marching to the message of his drum. The message was that we are one race, the human race and that through non-violent acts, we can fight for what is right. We have a voice. We have a choice. "As I have walked," King told the crowd assembled in Riverside Church a year before his assassination, "among the desperate, rejected and angry young men I have told them that Molotov cocktails and rifles would not solve their problems. I have tried to offer them my deepest compassion while maintaining my conviction that social change comes most meaningfully through nonviolent action.” Though his own life was cut short, I believe that he would want his message to live on in today’s society.
How ironic, that due to the tragic death of one young woman, the city is up in arms and those who knew her are marching through the streets crying for justice, just as their leader did so many years ago. Nightly, news cameras show these people marching in the cold in a desperate plea for justice to be served and the wrongs to be righted. This story is getting nationwide coverage. Evidently, though society tried to hide it, racism is alive and well in America.
My heart goes out to the family of this young woman, whose life was cut too short by tragedy and poor choices on the part of more than one person. However, I wonder, as I watch the news coverage of this outcry, if the people marching are really listening to the words of their leader. I know that they have heard them before. But, do they comprehend the true meaning behind his famous speech? I’m not so sure.
That speech was about peace upon this land and uniting as a human race, not one of color, for the common good of everyone. That’s what Dr. King had in mind. He was a non-violent man and wanted the violence and hatred in this world to cease.
More importantly, there’s a bigger problem that is being overlooked here. The victim had six children who now have no mother. They are the true victims of this horrible tragedy. It was not their choice to be born. However, they are here and they need our attention and love during this difficult time.
I can’t imagine what it would be like to witness the death of a parent. I have lost a parent and know how this changes you as a person. However, my loved one was not murdered. Moreover, I was not a minor when he passed. I can only imagine the horrible images that must go through the minds of these six children when they lay down at night.
This is where we can all do something to help. It has been said, “It takes a village to raise a child.” I believe that these words are true and applicable in this situation. Those children need to be surrounded with the love and support of their community. They need stability, guidance, consistency, a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on during this time. They need a mother’s love and nurturing. Since their mother is no longer with us, it is our job as a community to step into her shoes and do what is best for these children.
The family and friends of the victim in this tragedy do have a right to all of the emotions they are feeling now, including anger. However, they can choose to channel that anger and extreme grief into another direction. Then, Ms. Wilson would not have died in vain. Rather, she would establish a legacy. Her legacy would state that when one member of a community dies too soon, the rest pull together and do what is best for her children.
Though it is hard to turn away from one’s own anger and grief, it is an essential concept of living in a free world. We have to do what’s best for those around us and not focus on what we can’t fix. Nothing will bring Ms. Wilson back. She is gone forever, at least in body. However, if we band together and raise her children with love instead of hatred, then the dark cloud overshadowing this tragedy will have a silver lining.
When I was young girl, I used to watch Joy Junction daily. It was a kid’s program on television that taught kids how to focus on the blessings instead of the disappointments. One song stated, “If you’re looking at the hole in the road, you’re going to miss the rainbow. If you’re looking at the crack in the wall, you’re going to miss the sky. If you’re looking at everybody’s weakness, you’re going to miss out on the sweetness. You’re going to lose a chance to laugh every time you cry.” I’m much older now but the message of that simple song still lives inside of me. It’s important that we try to pull together and turn this rain of tragedy into a rainbow. I believe that with a little faith and a collective decision to do what’s right, regardless of the outcome, we can do it.

Posted by crydun2004 on 2008-01-31 17:11:22 | Rating: