Martin Luther King and the Internet

I sat here today and I said to myself, Martin Luther King marched so that I could have wealth. So that I could be educated and have a degree, not be discriminated against but feel love and walk free. That I could pour out my thoughts and yet stand unashamed, that I could follow my dreams and author books with my name.

King said. “Discrimination is a hellhound that gnaws [people] in every waking moment of their lives to remind them that the lie of their inferiority is accepted as truth in the society dominating them.” Sometimes I sit and think, gee wish I could have talked to him.Discrimination now includes anything and everything, even and especially online users like me. The difference is that the internet highways we travel are faster than a bus, and we get to travel for free. King opened the door and gave me the means, so I could stand unashamed and declare “I too have a dream”.

Where we once fought for access to and equality as sister and brother, now the fight is for privacy and the privilege to block one another. There used to be a time when we would pick up the phone so we could dialogue with a voice… now we shoot emails, chat online, use internet phone services, text and leave messages cause for some it's the thing to do and for some there is no other offered choice. Caller ID is the rule and voicemail is its twin. This is what we’ve become. It’s the world we live in. Folks still like to say hey…be well… keep in touch, we still like to connect….just not too close or too much.

It tickles me to know King said “This is a road over which millions…are travelling to find a new sense of dignity. This same road has opened for all Americans a new era of progress and hope. It has led to a new Civil Rights Bill, and it will, I am convinced, be widened and lengthened into a super highway of justice as Negro and white men in increasing numbers create alliances to overcome their common problems.”

This is us on the super highway called the internet, we just don’t have a Civil Rights Bill written for us…as of yet. The statement was so clear so real and so true…it amazes me to think, wow! I wonder how he knew. I imagine Martin must say, lol, ^5, woohoo!..this sound 2 legit. America has come along way since I passed, yet they still *smh* just do not seem to get it.

Something that was initially built for exposure has become something to hide behind. What was once stated “stand up and be accountable” has become … create an alt or another account to make sure no one follow you. What was once “come find me and my info here”, has become “don’t get caught or be fount out”. smh, we still running about in fear...all day every day. Outside in public places and while we online inside our own private spaces.We’ve progressed through ways to kill on land skies and sea.

But there’s this new thing we warring, how many ways can I think of to wound your spirit or cause you death virtually. Let us not forget the biggest talk over the past year, why should they go to Vegas or other casino, they can come gamble up in here.BUT just keep on walking people (this means both you AND me), stay the course… trials of any sort can bring sight to the blind. Troubles don't always last and do pass in due time. So I say to him now, your efforts were not in vain. For here I sit, educated and able to navigate through facebook, twitter and other sites on my phone, in a first class seat on my very own plane.

”Dare I not march the internet paths with my mind and my fingers for grandbabies to see...once upon a time this was King marching and the grandbaby was me. ~FC