Here is a poem my sister wrote for a MLK Jr poetry contest.
She got 1st place in her grade level and it was published!
Congrats Beth! (Do not use)
"There is no such thing as part freedom."-Nelson Mandela
If you want to know what freedom is ask someone who's never had it. Listen to the words of the people who fought for it with their lives. If you want to know what freedom is, watch for it in its careless abuse and misuse by people who have never had to live without it. But if you want to know what freedom is; why it's fought for and why we read and write about it; look for it in the eyes of those individuals still denied the most basic human rights. Oppression glares its ugly truth through the eyes of people who only know freedom as a concept; an imagination beyond the reach of hope, and distant to their reality. Freedom is felt in its absence. In its absence we realize freedom's Internal necessity to peace, justice, and equality. In 1976, South African youth innately understood something they did not nave. Oppressed through years of apartheid, Soweto students refused to remain in quiet submission. Unwilling to accept the Afrikaner government's decree that would force them to learn and speak in languages that were not their own: students retaliated through a peaceful protest, the morning of June 16, 1976 began as students marched and rallied for justice, but ended with bloodshed and violence as students were met with police brutality, Another day forever marked in history, whose Significance was borne through the lives claimed during a fight for freedom. While communities buried their children one man fought against injustice and for human rights from the conferment of a cell, Nelson Mandela sacrificed 27 years of his freedom, so liberty could be realized for every individual Mandela declared none are free until all are free, there is no partial freedom. There is no partial justice. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed you could not accept equality for one man and not another. As we continue to celebrate and commemorate the work of these men and the nameless others who have labored, we must continue to honor and recognize their visions and dream. Freedom, justice, and equality is not realized when millions of Appalachian Americans live in poverty; sharing similar impoverished conditions of those In second and third-world countries, The dream is not realized when a quarter of the homeless population are Veterans. American citizens, heroes, and freedom fighters have been forgotten and left in the shadows of the flag they honored and fought to protect. At this point in history social justice and equality have not been recognized for all citizens. We are not yet free. Mandela and Dr, King were catalysts for social Justice and reform. An Immense impact can be, made by doing the small things most people overlook or neglect. As individuals we must live our beliefs values and principles daily; not just during election years or for personal gains or political acceptance. If we are to fulfill the vision and live the dream, this generation must set 3 new precedents by mirroring the philosophy and emulating the actions of Mandela and Dr. King. Only then will we achieve peace, justice, equality, and freedom for all.
What do you think? :]
