Standing in the Shadows of Giants

Racism is alive and well. Considering how recently slavery was abolished, and how recently Martin Luther King Jr. campaigned his dream, this shouldn't be surprising. But every time I walk with free steps, in my free life, in this free world to a place where I hear words of bondage I am still surprised. There are people whose minds, hearts, and therefore words are still in bondage to closed mindedness, tradition, intolerance, hate, and ignorance. Where's the change?

The inauguration is tomorrow and Obama has been championing "change". Some are far quicker to mock the statement than to question their own perspective of it. We instantly think things like "how's one man going to really change anything". He was the first to admit in his victory speech, "This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you. So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other." We the people make change.

When Sir Isaac Newton was asked of his great scientific achievements he said, "...If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants." He was essentially acknowledging the blessing of having a foundation placed , and a way paved, by those who exercised passion in his field before him. After finding that all of these pioneers and visionaries had made their discoveries he did not quit because so much had already been accomplished by them. It is because of their work that he could accomplish great new things. They served as inspiration for his ability. They served as headway in his thoughts. They were the backbone to his quest. Ultimately he achieved a status and name greater than many of his mentors before him, but it was only possible (or at least probable) by recognizing the works of these great men and the advantages they gave him.

We all have the opportunity, just like Martin Luther King Jr., just like Sir Isaac Newton, and just like President elect Barrack Obama have, to stand on the sacrifices made by great men before us. By standing on the shoulders of these great men we can reach new heights. We can continue where martyrs of cause left off. We can finish building bridges our forefathers began building, so that our children may cross them. Our freedom has been bought and payed for by blood, sweat, tears, and lives. What will we do with it? What will all that has been earned be exercised for?

Just because discrimination and intolerance exist that doesn't mean that victory over them does not. It smolders in each of us ready to burst into flame for those willing to carry the torch. Hearing people's insults of racism and cruelty is a worthy sacrifice I am willing to bare for the sake of the same freedom of speech that others use to make our world a better place. Let's use their remarks as a reminder of where we've been and where we are going. Let's open our voices and spread our hearts on the subjects that grip us and inspire us. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, "...the greatest tragedy...was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people".

By the guiding light of our God-given purpose we are growing. The soil is fertile because of the ground that has already be broken. We are all the same color when standing in the shadows of giants.