Why Justice Matters

NDG’s View

We’ve all come together, far too many times, recently, grieving our pain over heavy losses to our families, our communities and to our future generations due to some form of the lingering remnants falling afresh from the cloud of white supremacy racism. When injustice follows the pain of our losses it is then that we, as a community, must move past grieving and stand for justice, by any means necessary. It’s incredible as a people how we create uproars, protests and marches (as we should) when an injustice presents itself amongst us.

However, as soon as the mainstream media has decided it’s enough, we calm the uproar, we end the protests and marches, and we continue on with society, as is, as we await the next event to unveil, only to be remedied in the same manner.

As we begin our annual celebration of the life and legacy of our brother, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we should all take this opportunity to, not only, pause and reflect on the gift of Dr. King to our people; but moreover, we should study his life to understand that the uproars, protests and marches are only the beginning of a marked change in our history. 

We should also gain understanding in the visions and dreams he shared with us via his sermons and speeches. These were not only his talk, but they were his daily walk.  And this is the reason we honor and celebrate him for his great sacrifices. Dr. King walked for 39 years in his purpose until he was taken from us, far too early, by an assassinating gun carrier.

While we submit ourselves to the study and celebration of the legacy, we must also query ourselves, as a community. We must really ask, “Why justice matters?” today. When, seemingly, we have many brothers and sisters living the American Dream; whether in the entertainment industry, business owners, education, even, the president of the United States of America. Yes, we seem to be doing very well with the opportunities that were given to us, with love, from the backs, sweat, calloused feet and hands, dog bites, water hoses, nooses and worn out prayer bent knees. Thank you, Father, for the love of our fore parents.

However, we must recognize that we, today, have an obligation to continue in fighting for justice for all people. Our fight is not over, especially, here in Dallas. When our Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan area is booming with new businesses, has the ability over other cities of attracting major corporations to relocate their headquarters, houses state-of-the-art major league sports fields and arenas (even at the high school level), home to many of America’s millionaires, and a few billionaires….YET, we are leaders in the nation of the most impoverished children, we arrogantly pass homeless people on the street as if they don’t exist, and we sit back and allow our children to go to school every day to receive a substandard education.

As members of the DFW community, when we witness our young girls being tossed around and manhandled by a Frisco police officer just for wanting to attend a party at a public pool, or when we witness a police officer draw his gun at one of our young men for trying to come to her aide, or when the cameras witness a mentally ill distraught man enter Dallas Police headquarters crying out for help, but he meets his very controversial demise….Our fight for justice is not over.

We shamefully witnessed armed protesters express their white superiority over Muslims (who they feel are inferior and have no rights to the freedoms of their religion without being harassed). A young Muslim boy in Irving was proud of his accomplishment of creating a clock and wanted to share his joy with his school instructor, but instead he was humiliated and handcuffed. Keep in mind, if Sally brought her teacher an apple, she would not only be praised for being such a thoughtful child, the apple would have been eaten and enjoyed by her teacher (never to be tested and even thought to be laced with poison). Mostly, Sally would have gotten a great lift of encouragement for going above and beyond.  Just imagine the lift the young Muslim innovator could have received if encouragement had been given him.

Our fight for justice is nowhere near over. Although many of us are living the American Dream (only by the Father’s Grace) that has been gifted us from many who came before us, some we can name, and so many others who remain nameless. They fought for justice for us and our future generations. Thank the Father their fight did not end (at the beginning) with the uproars, protests and marches. We should be very grateful for the many who laid down their lives for us, and the many who committed their lives to walking in the vision and dream brought forth to us by our brother, Dr. King.

Dr. King’s words answers best, “Why Justice Matters?”

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Dr. Martin King, Jr.

It’s a matter of fact; injustice lingers in our own backyard. We must do our part, with love, until justice is for all.