Martin Luther King Day 2026. How are We Doing?

    The United States has gone through its ups and downs far as racial relations up till this year, 2026. Today is MLK day, where we celebrate or discuss and analyze equal rights and freedom, the struggles of our nation's history and how we have advanced, or not, to making all people equal, or allowing people to have equal opportunities.

    Hard not to mention Donald Trump in these times, in this age of racial thinking. Is he racist? Does he hate or dislike people of color? I have thought over the years that he is not anti-black, in a racist way in that respect as some accuse him, but that he is a classist, and thinks of the poor as beneath him, that he sees the world in colors of green for money and power, not the skin tone as a source of his values and judgments. I could be wrong. He has said some racist things that I know of, but I am not convinced that those racially insensitive things that he shared in Chicago about the poor folks of Chicago who were black were about strictly being African-American, or simply as they were poor. Then again, I am a white man, so ask a hundred Black people how they interpret his words.

        It is not all about this re-elected president, but also but policies in place, those that he believes in, and other laws and policies that are in place now and in the past. We have hundreds and thousands of others who instill their values and actions, whether elected or appointed, or doing their jobs in law enforcement or other capacities.

    Are we a color free society? By no means. Judgments and harsh decisions come down unfairly at times against the poor, the infirm, the underprivileged, those without legal documents or identification...

    How are people in other countries treated per their race or ethnic heritage? In the United States it has been rough. Russia versus Ukraine, now for years, has been atrocious, but this is not racial but ethnic and economic. Congo and Sudan in Africa may be even more deadlier, but these are not considered racially motivated, but again, more ethnically based.

    I believe that Black people in the U.S. are doing better than ever. There are hurdles and uphill battles, still, but the opportunities and upward mobility is there. Disadvantages remain, based on inheritance wealth, or the lack of it. I know guys that I have worked with, specifically from Maryland, who are Black, but do not have much legacy money from their parents or families. Another young man, who I recently attended a funeral with, has made close to half a million dollars from the relatively recent death of his father, who accrued some wealth from his father. He is set to build his wealth in 2026 and in a couple decades for his retirement.

    Crime and prison is worse among African-Americans than most whites, which is an obvious drain on wealth gained and preserved.

    I am leaving out the second biggest minority in the U.S., which are Latinos. While some Latin Americans are qualified as Black, most are deemed brown, and have received their share of discrimination and hard times to succeed in our modern society. However, I believe there are metrics that show that Latinos are progressing, overall. Asians and Europeans are doing well here in the homeland, as some believe that they have inside advantages. Perhaps. Not as many problems as the bigger minorities, which could be debated in many ways.

    Some have argued that economics in jobs, health care, home ownership, diet or health, have the biggest impact on the various races of the U.S.

    Perhaps this is true.

    Are we a meritocracy yet? As Doctor King and so many others have wanted and planned?

    Maybe not.

    There is a lot to go. But somewhere inside of me, I think that Martin Luther King and his dream is going ahead. 

    Happy day, and how blessed are so many of us that are paid to have this holiday paid for, with time to be with family and friends. And maybe even serve and do other things for others. As the Reverend might preach and commend us to do.

    Onward and upward.

    Live the dream.