Tag: Martin Luther King Jr.

There comes a time in every life when change is necessary. Whether the change is a result of something that has happened existentially, or a change due to biological make-up, only you can determine how it will ultimately affect your life. The pandemic, social injustices and what I’ve seen of a percentage of American political leaders has affected me significantly. I never thought that I would see the day when content that I have read in history books are right here in the present, too real for anyone to deny. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere;” I gave myself more credit than I should have when I assumed that I understood the power of these words. Today, I understand the power, firsthand.

Although I understand–at some level– how difficult this pandemic has been on a worldly scale, I have yet to grasp the full scope of our brothers and sisters who have lost a loved one to this virus; I have yet to understand the magnitude of loss that some may feel having lost dream businesses, or not having enough to pay the rent/mortgage. I do not yet understand-nor do I wish to–the suffering and pain that the mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, and children have endured and continue to endure having experienced the loss of a loved one due to police brutality.

I’m here on this torn leather office chair, after 10pm, on a school night, trying to grapple with understanding why human beings are in such a divided state in the United States of America. Why is the school system inequitable, why? Why do citizens distrust each other, why? And what systems are in place to keep us in this revolving conundrum of inequities, inequalities and racial tensions? If the system was set in place by the founders, why are we still upholding their system when the world has drastically changed? My cellular phone requires regular updates, my laptop requires regular updates, my pedagogical approach and lessons plans are not as effective if I do not remain centered on my class dynamic and focus on what approach and plan individual students require. Similarly, our country requires modifications/alterations/unification, and perhaps, updating.

I have no grand scale solutions regarding what can be done to solve the issues at hand; I utter these words with the deepest sorrow. Instead, I write this evening to offer advice that may begin to move us in a direction of community and learning how to care for one another in a way that is most intentional, considerate, compassionate and selfless. If you have the ability at this moment to capture what it must feel like for those who can afford to have an elaborate Christmas celebration, you are capable of imagining my proposal. The country is in need of a kindness addition to our calendars; I propose National Kindness Week! A week of spreading kindness to loved ones and strangers. Mark Twain said, “Kindness is the language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” Considering this, I’m hopeful that kindness can also be a key to help break the barriers of some suffering and move us in a direction of human beings becoming more compassionate with each other. The following is an outline:

Kindness Week Focus

–Monday: Gift to family

–Tuesday: Gift to colleagues

–Wednesday: Gift to an essential worker

–Thursday: The just ’cause gift (to anyone you choose)

–Friday: Gift to self (very important)

Gift Ideas:

1. A letter of gratitude.
2. One of your favorite fruits (I like to share mangoes).
3. Write a list of 7 things you admire about the individual. write each on a separate sheets of paper and place the papers in a brown paper bag with seven Hershey’s Kisses ( or another treat of choice). When you give the individual the bag, tell them they will have a message and a kiss for seven days; enjoy!
4. Go on a 25-30 minute walk with a person and share how they’ve inspired you (for at least five minutes of the walk).
5. Pick a flower (season permitting) for an individual and share why they deserve it. Please be as specific as you can be (i.e. here’s a flower for being such an uplifting person. The day you said….made a huge impact on me and I want to encourage you to continue being who you are).
6. Share a small gift from your cultural background. For example, one of my students shared an origami crane with me and shared the meaning behind it (do you know if you make 1000, you can be granted a wish?).
7. If you’re a poet, musician, or blessed with any type of creative talent, share your gifts. A friend of mine once played a tune on the piano to serenade a special someone who felt ill. They will never forget this creative act of kindness.

I am well aware that the ails we struggle with are not going to cease with this National Kindness Week proposal. If this was the case, one Christmas would have solved all of our issues. Rather, NKW is a renewal, a modification/alteration, a step closer to unification and overall great excuse to be kind with intension, especially during a time when the need for kindness is dyer. And of course, please wear a mask and be mindful of distance as you share your love.

What steps do you believe we can take to move in a direction of unification? I’m looking forward to reading your ideas…