By Javier Robles
I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Today we celebrate the birthday of a man who changed the face of America's racial system. Through his devotion and that of millions of Americans who protested the unjust racial segregation between blacks and whites, we now live in a more accepting and diverse United States. Martin Luther King, Jr. exemplifies the dream of a better America for all of us. Today, we have an African-American as president of the United States. Women hold positions of power at corporations, political office, and our communities. Latinos now the largest minority in the United States (that is if you don't count disabilities as a minority), represent growth and a new progress. Many positive things have happened since the life and death of Martin Luther King, Jr
America has to some extent accepted that in order to move forward every citizen regardless of color, creed, or national origin must be part of the equation. Today, we see mega superstars, like Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé, Prince, and of course Pres. Obama, and we know that some good things are happening. That many are now looking past the color of one's skin to their character. However, the reality of acceptance for many is tarnished by the inability to include everyone in our definition of “America”.
To many it seems that the racial problems of the past have been solved. That if we have a black president nobody should be complaining about racial inequality and injustice. Yet, poverty continues to decimate and obliterate young minds. Children go to school hungry and many parents can no longer afford to send their high school graduates to college. Our economy is intrinsically tied to the progress of the middle class and the poor. The past few years have yielded record-breaking unemployment in many states across the nation. Many have suffered including people of color and those with disabilities.
People with disabilities have a 70% to 75% unemployment rate in the United States. Thoes individuals with disabilities who are of color are estimated to have between 85% and 90% unemployment rate. It is easy to forget about the progress of those we do not see as a cohesive group. Yet, their failure to produce in one of the world's most economically advanced countries is a failure of Martin Luther King's dream. The more we are blind to the oppression of people with disabilities in this country the less we believe in the dream.
This not only about employment of people with disabilities, is about education, health care, integration, acceptance and hope. While laws like the Americans with disabilities act of 1990 and The Work Incentives Act of 1999 have made a difference in the lives of some individuals, the majority of people with disabilities in the United States continue to struggle. Their families, continue to ask, are our American needs not part of your equation of equality?
This year, let us look past the disabilities and focus on the inequalities. Let us celebrate the birthday of the great man, by proving that there is greatness in us! Admit that there is a problem, when we as a society can see right past the person because we do not want to look at the reality of their problems. Things are better for some but they continue to be a challenge for others. Let us discover this year, that we live not for the purpose of serving ourselves but for the ability to help others. Let us stand on our feet no matter that the winds of time blow upon us to try to force us down.
