Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Advocating for Human Rights in Richmond
Today, as we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it is worth reflecting on his unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and the dignity of all people. His vision for a fair and compassionate world continues to inspire me to challenge systems of oppression and strive for meaningful change.
RVA is a community rich with history, marked by resilience and complexity. While we can take pride in the progress and cultural richness that define our city, we must also acknowledge the deep scars of inequality and the struggles woven into our past and those that are still present. By recognizing both the achievements and the challenges, we embrace the opportunity to create a more inclusive and equitable future for all. As Dr. King reminded us, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” This call to action compels us to examine and confront the challenges that persist in our community today.
From addressing disparities in housing and education to supporting initiatives that empower marginalized voices, Richmond must remain steadfast in its commitment to human rights. Let’s take this day not only to honor the past but also to consider how we can actively contribute to a better future:
- Support Local Organizations: Many Richmond-based groups are doing incredible work to address issues like homelessness, food insecurity, and education inequity. Find ways to contribute your time, resources, or skills.
- Educate Ourselves and Others: Dr. King emphasized the importance of knowledge in the fight for justice. Take time to learn about the history of civil rights in Richmond and how systemic issues continue to affect our community.
- Advocate for Change: Engage with local leaders and policies that affect human rights in Richmond. Whether it’s supporting initiatives for affordable housing or promoting equitable access to healthcare, every action counts.
As we honor Dr. King’s legacy, let us remember his words: “The time is always right to do what is right.” Together, we can continue to uphold the values he fought for and make Richmond a place where justice and equality thrive.
What steps will you take today to honor Dr. King’s legacy and make a difference? We’d ask you to share your thoughts and experiences – join us in fostering a community of hope, respect, and opportunity for all. I’ll begin with one that helped open my eyes.
We’ve all seen them; they stand at freeway and grocery store exits, stop lights and haunt our streets – the homeless. When seen, our eyes generally avert, and our pace quickens. Even if we do help, it’s only to shove a bill or change into a hand or cup and quickly move on, our duty seemingly done. But what if we took the time to sit down and talk with them. A number of years ago while in Oregon, I did just that; meet Dilby.
I was walking out of the grocery store and saw him sitting at the exit of QFC. Like so many, I’ve given food or money to the homeless, but my record protracted conversation was 5 minutes. I originally was just going to give him a water and buy a copy of Street Paper, but something changed as I walked over, and I instead sat down next to him. At first, he seemed a little taken back, so I introduced mysf and asked him what his name was. For the next 35 minutes, we talked and here is what I learned.
First of all, Dilby is a slow talker. He sometimes lost what he was saying and I would have to remind him of the last few sentences so that he could continue. Dilby told me that 3 years ago, he was working for a packing and shipping company – he was supporting himself. He told me that he’d never heard of ‘Systematic Pneumonia’ until it took away his life. He nearly died and spent 28 days in an induced coma. After that he spent 3 months in a rest home until doctors decided he was well enough to move out. Unfortunately he wasn’t as strong as they’d settled on and a new bought of illness again brought him to the hospital. His movements reminded me of Flash from Zootopia, slow and methodical. It’s clear that both his cognitive and motor skills were effected.
In the course of our conversation, I offered Dilby the mixed nuts that I’d purchased for myself. He first shook his head saying know, but then he saw that there were cashews there, saying, “Man, I love cashews”. So I went back into QFC and grabbed a bag from the donut display. We then took all the cashews out so that he could enjoy them later.
We both talked about our childhoods, me sharing stories that mirrored his own. After being released from care the last time, he found that two traumatic episodes from his childhood had left him with an irrational fear of two things – heights and water. Even taking a shower makes him re-experience a near drowning from his youth when his Father tried to carry him on his back across a river. He didn’t like being smelly and dirty, but couldn’t face showers on the occasions they were made available.
As Dilby finished up this story, suddenly tears filled his eyes and he stopped, paused for an uncomfortable moment and said, “Man, you really twisted my noodle”. I apologized, saying I was sorry if I’d brought back painful memories, but that wasn’t what made him cry. He went on to say that I was the first person in years that had talked with him like he was a person. It was then me that was crying and we shook hands, unabashed.
So next time you see the unwashed, the homeless, the mentally ill – the chaff, remember that there’s a human being there. There’s a story behind the pain and more than money or food, a kind word may be the thing they are most in need of.