Gone But Not Forgotten

I guess it 's the way of the world, part of growing up is that we lose those that we have loved along the way. This month marks Black History Month, a time when we reflect on those who have paved the way for civil rights of minorities in America. Last night I had the opportunity to catch a part of the funeral service for Coretta Scott King on CNN. Most of the speakers didn't do much to move me, but it was the words of Malcolm X's oldest daughter, Attallah Shabazz that shook me to the core. At first I had to blink to make sure it was his daughter speaking and not Malcolm himself. She spoke of her relationship with Yolanda King and the similarities that they shared; both losing their fathers to the movement, being the oldest siblings, raised by single mothers who remained dedicated to their fathers and the movement an then losing them too. Standing there among 10,000 plus people she encouraged Black folk to stop singing "one day we shall over come" and instead make it an affirmation "today, we shall over come by any means necessary." The struggle is not over and we as minorities should still be fighting for equality. Repeating the question that was asked by Atlanta Mayor, Shirley Franklin "Who among us will join the freedom choir?" We have lost Medgar, Malcolm, Martin, Betty and now Coretta. Who will speak for the masses now? Who will speak out about racism and the ills of society that effects minorities in this country? Who will come forward and carry the torch? I look at Al Sharpton, Barack Obama, Cleo Fields, Mark Morial and Ray Nagin can they fill these shoes? Do they even want to fill them? What are we as a people doing to ensure that the next generation knows no boundaries? On yesterday my youngest son informed me that when he grows up he wants to be Moses. I hesitated, amazed that a four year old could even think on those terms. He talked about a video that he had watched at school about Moses saving the people. I smiled. Told him you are not Moses but you can be like him and lead your people to the promise land. Leaders are born everyday, but it's up to us to cultivate them and remind them about the struggle and the fallen heroes and sheroes. Teach them our story 365 days. Never let them forget.