Today, January 18th marks the 35th anniversary of the federal holiday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. With that said, it is officially 2021, and it seems as if specific challenges, such as the color of a person’s skin, are still a significant hindrance for many people. Understanding and acknowledging that all people breathe the same air and bleed the same blood is common sense. For many, hatred is too intense to believe God created everyone equally. However, it is unfortunate that a parent would teach hatred, which is pure ignorance, instead of equality. All babies are born innocent; there is no reason to teach and enforce this action. For what? And why? The death toll will rise as a result.

I visited the National Civil Rights Museum on an MLK50 trip in 2018. The photo above is one of many features that show that children only see prejudice once taught. So, I had to capture their innocence.

Moreover, Martin Luther King Jr. worked hard to pave the way for equality and justice for all. Sadly, many people cannot open their hearts and minds to love unconditionally. Forget that being different shades makes us all unique, but it is easy to blame a person’s skin color. Today, I honor a man who dedicated his life to bringing more than just equality and justice. He was eager to create peace and harmony and eliminate unnecessary chaos. His acts of kindness did not cost him his life; the pure hatred to see an African-American man bring change did.

His words still ring loud in his last speech at Mason Temple the night before his death. “I might not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land.” Fifty-three years after King’s death, it is a shame that the rightful place on earth remains elusive to African American people.

Furthermore, there is one who sits high above all, God. His time sequence is perfect—a timeline of things that have passed and things that are yet to come. Be mindful of knowing this: justice is far from being lost. So, the promised land is within reach. Remember a man who marched for freedom, equality, and unconditional love on this MLK Day. We will continue to walk with our heads held high upon faith, knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. I like to remember the story of Jehoshaphat, which clearly states, “for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV.

Many are in remembrance, but these individuals died unjustly, to name a few.

Martin Luther King Jr. (Assassinated: April 4th, 1968, Memphis, TN)

Eric Garner 2014

Michael Brown 2014

Tamir Rice 2014

Walter Scott 2015

Alton Sterling 2016

Philando Castile 2016

Stephon Clark 2018

Breonna Taylor 2020

George Floyd 2020

Credit: Photos by Kimberly C. Lyons are the sole property of KCL-IDESIGN, LLC®.