What the World Needs {BWWM Drama Romance}

A/N: Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day to my fellow readers and writers. As I celebrate one of the Civil Rights activist of all time who had a dream for equality, human rights, and fair treatment to all people of all races/ skin colors, I am revolted after I watched a clip of Keenan Anderson who suffered cardiac arrest and died thirteen days ago (January 3, 2023) around 4.5 hours after he was restrained by and tasered five times by the Los Angeles Police Department. 

Keenan Darnell Anderson was a 31 year old African American high school tenth-grade English teacher at the Digital Pioneers Academy in Washington D.C. He was a father and happened to be the cousin of the Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors. Yesterday, I was just getting out of church when I saw the video and I was more mortified when Keenan said, "They're trying to George Floyd me," referring to the murder of George Floyd by police in 2020. The officers that were involved should definitely be placed on immediate leave because excessive force violates the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution, which forbids unreasonable searches and seizures by law enforcement. The victims of excessive force by police can pursue a Section 1983 claim against the officer and potentially their employer. After I watched the horrifying clip, I decided to speak about how I feel watching that because our voices matter as well as mine. I hope the officers who were involved in the death of Keenan Anderson take responsibilities for claiming the life of Keenan. 

And since today is January 16, I want to say Happy Birthday to one of my favorite singers and role models; Aaliyah Dana Haughton, who would've turn 44 years old along with celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. While we remember the impact and the radiant legacy of Dr. King, his speeches include values that we can install to our kids such as; equality, fairness, faith, selflessness, love, nonviolence, education, leadership, and hope.  

To celebrate and honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., read below; 

"Happy Birthday" by Stevie Wonder. This song has since become a standard African American birthday anthem. Stevie Wonder, who happens to be a social activist, was one of the main figures in the campaign to have the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. become a national holiday. 

"King Holiday" by King Dream Chorus & Holiday Crew. Released on January 13, 1986 and featured artists including; the Fat Boys, New Edition, El DeBarge, Whitney Houston, Teena Marie, Kurtis Blow, Menudo, Lisa Lisa with Full Force, Stacy Lattisaw, Stephanie Mills, Kool & the Gang's James "J.T." Taylor, Run DMC, Whodini, and Grandmaster Melle Mel. This single was released in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which was first celebrated as a national holiday in the United States on January 20, 1986. All proceeds from the single were donated to the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change. Martin Luther King Jr.'s youngest son, Dexter Scott King is credited as the song's executive producer in addition to appearing in the music video. 

Watch movies and documentaries. King (1978 television miniseries) starring Paul Winfield and Cicely Tyson, Our Friend Martin (1999 animated movie), Selma, Lord, Selma (1999 made-for-television biographical drama film), Selma (2014 historical drama film), Remember the Titans  starring Denzel Washington and Will Patton (2000 biographical drama film), etc.  

 Read books about MLK to your kids. 

Watch videos of Martin Luther King Jr. 

Reflect on the contributions and legacy of MLK. 

Listen to music that pays tribute to Martin Luther King. This includes "Happy Birthday" by Stevie Wonder, "King Holiday" by King Dream Chorus & Holiday Crew, "One Vision" by Queen, "Pride (In the Name of Love" by U2, "Abraham, Martin, and John" by Marvin Gaye, "If I Can Dream" by Elvis Presley, "Why (The King of Love is Dead)" by Nina Simone, "Dry Your Eyes" by Neil Diamond, and so much more.   

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." 

"Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a permanent attitude." 

"Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness." 

"Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle." 

"We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear." 

"We are not makers of history. We are made by history." 

"Hate is just as injurious to the hater as it is to the hated. Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Many of our inner conflicts are rooted in hate. This is why psychiatrists say, "Love or perish." Hate is too great a burden to bear."

"Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love." 

"That's love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There's something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So love your enemies." 

"You can kill the dreamer, but you can't kill the dream."