I Have A Dream -- The Story of Martin Luther King

I Have a Dream – A story of Martin Luther King, is a scholastic biography written by Margaret Davidson. It is a well-researched and clearly written book ideal for children at elementary level school. The book begins with his first experience of prejudice at the age of 10 in Atlanta Georgia, and covers all the highlights of his life including receiving the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 35.

I liked the fact it highlights the importance of non-violent protests, and on page 32 there is a photograph of him reading a book about Mahatma Gandhi. Over the years, I must have read dozens of books, and each time I have had a better understanding of the man. One important thing I learned this time was the similarity between him and Mahatma Gandhi, and their belief in forgiveness.

Today’s American youth learn at an early age that forgiveness is a weakness. If someone bruises your ego in the slightest, it is customary to get the double barrel out. The American solution to every problem seems to be in killing and they sell billions of dollars of weapons to people all around the globe. They believe in this so much that they keep it enshrined in their constitution for the right to bear arms.

What Martin did with just a few peaceful protests and speeches brought America forward 100 years and more. Forgiveness is very difficult to give if you are angry, but it is powerful, and it changes white people from the inside. Mahatma Gandhi once wrote in a letter saying that they see us as non-human and un-feeling because we are black, however it does not mean that we should behave as such. If we were to do so we would provide them with justification. Instead, we must demonstrate to them with our forgiveness and better nature. Mahatma Gandhi was a tiny skinny man who looked like Yoda from Star Wars. He had a walking stick, and John Lennon glasses, and he did not have to fire a single bullet, nor strike anyone, nor even swear. More importantly, he did not make any orphans or widows, because if he had, then he could not have been working for higher powers.

As a Brit looking from across the pond, African Americans deserve to have at least a "Martin Luther King" day in his honour. It would be a day when all can reflect how far we have come, and how much more we still need to go. January 15 should be that special day and easy to implement because this is still a time of Christmas holidays.

Words are very powerful, and they can make a big difference for good or bad. We Brits noticed that whenever Donald Trump gave a speech using racially loaded language, there was a peak in racially motivated crimes all over America. On the other hand, President Barack Obama, would also give a speech to cool the flames. As you can see, this demonstrates that you are your actions. Your actions define you, and what you bring out in others define you. I believe that Martin Luther King would say, be a person of light, and amplify your light throughout every corner of the world, to bring the best out of others.

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