This morning I was lucky to be able to attend the annual march from Jefferson Street to Tennessee State University, in honor of those who marched in the 1960s for civil rights in Nashville, as part of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrations.
I arrived early at Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church to find my rabbi, whom I marched with last year, and see friends from the neighborhood and my community organizing work, and to meet new people. It's funny, although my jobs involve being overly extroverted, I often find myself shy to introduce myself, not wanting to impose on anyone.
To be honest, I had a great time meeting new people this morning! As the march was about to start, I was looking for the rabbi, walking alongside the gathering crowd, and a woman with a red hat and cane commented on my skirt. She warned me that with a skirt like that, I was looking to "get jacked for it." Of course, I had to introduce myself and make friends.
Delores and I walked together with another friend of hers, a man about my age. We took our time, stopping twice to rest her knee and catch our breath. We talked about her life and careers, my organizing work, and met more friends of all of ours along the way.
Thinking of Dr. King, I can imagine he would smile at our easy acquaintance, at the conversation we had, and at the multi-generational connection we made.
I don't always think of Dr. King when working on social justice issues, but I do think of people like Delores, who has marched for each of the last 44 years, including in rain and snow. I think of all those who lost their lives working for peace and equality, of everyone who has struggled and those who continue to struggle for a fair chance.
It wasn't just a walk in the sunshine this morning, although that was nice, too. It was a walk towards freedom and justice, together.
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