The Future for My Son
I’ve been thinking a lot about Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy, mostly because my son was born this past August. Right now, we are focused on the basics of caring for an infant, but during my many sleepless nights I think about the world that he will grow up in. As white parents of a black boy, we feel an even greater urgency to realize King’s vision.
As my son grows up, we will inevitably have conversations about how sometimes life isn’t fair—that’s part of being a parent. But I worry about the conversations about injustice, which I see far too much of these days. I could attempt to shield my son from injustice, but I want him to grow up in an America where he can clearly see us working toward genuine equality.
So I’ve been spending a lot of time holding my son and trying to figure out what my role can be in building a more equitable society—as a parent, an ally, and a citizen.
—Rachel Pleasants McDonnell, associate director
Weusi Shule: A Legacy Passed On
When I was young, I attended Weusi Shule, meaning “Black School,” in Swahili. Set in a vibrant community in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, it was a significant layer of my foundation, rooted in “Nguzu Saba,” the seven principles—Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith—each of which played an essential role in the Civil Rights Movement. The principles were apparent in our cultural education, our performing arts, and how we identified ourselves in and around our community.
Dr. King’s dream became my life in many ways. His example was ever present in my life. His story, and those of other black leaders, gave me the courage to stand in picket lines with my mother and sisters. Though we were always engrossed in the energy and rhythm of the cause, we understood mostly that our presence was a necessary part of the call for equity.
—Nia Yisrael, program manager