The Life And Times Of A Young Republican

(I wrote this essay for a recent Scholarship application for my College, and since I didn't get the Scholarship, I decided to let the essay live on, so all of you could read it!

I decided to post it today to honor Dr. King's memory, and show that despite all the terrible things that are happening in the world, there are still true heroes in one's life.)

Growing up in Suburban Chicago, you cling to whatever hero comes your way. When I was in Grade School at St. Paul Lutheran School in Addison, Illinois, I was just learning the ways of the world and finding my place within its either friendly or challenging confines. On the beginning of that journey, I learned of a man who embodied qualities that every growing boy and girl should strive to understand, learn and embrace. This man was a born Leader, a born Changer and a born Hero. This man taught me to embrace my ideals and never give them up, whether you be thrown in jail or taunted by the public. This man taught me to be my true, unfettered self. That man is Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr..

When we examine the life of Dr. King, we often praise him for his outspoken views and striving towards Civil Rights. He dedicated his life to obtaining a better life for African Americans, and ultimately ended up giving his own life towards the striving of that glorious goal. He is now seen as a humble Saint; yet a man of the people – humble, kind and warm.

When I personally reflect on Dr. King’s life, I see one major attribute above all – his born leadership. Leadership is something that is not imprinted in all of our souls. It is something that you have to learn and work hard to obtain; at least for me, it was. Growing up, I was always a timid little creature, never wanting to take the reins and even so much as strike up a conversation with someone I did not know, or even someone I did know! I was shy, and I believe my father decided that I would never be a true leader. Yet he always believed in my natural-born abilities and never gave up on me. I thank him for that.

But then, like a bright star shining against a dark sky, I discovered Dr. King. Mrs. Suzanne Orborn-Nicholas, my Third Grade Teacher, taught us a lesson in our Social Studies class about Dr. King; about his role in the Civil Rights Movement and how he worked night and day to obtain equality for African Americans, even so much as going to jail for his beliefs. I was stunned by what I learned. I asked myself: Could a personally really so selflessly believe in a basic right, that they would give up theirs to achieve it? It brought me inspiration to see someone who was born a leader- someone would was passionate, articulate and everything that I secretly wished I could be.

After I learned about Dr. King and his struggle, I found that I enjoyed the spotlight more and more. I would voice my opinion more freely. I was not afraid to answer a question in class or talk to a little-known friend of my mother or father. I found out I had the ability to make people smile with my unique personality. I, to this day, think I never would have opened up from my shell, if it was not for Dr. King and his teachings.

Now that I am pursuing a career in the Performing Arts, as an Opera Singer, I have still found ways that Dr. King has inspired me. Because of him, I’m not afraid to stand in front of a crowd, no matter the size, and project my passion for all to see. I am fearless on stage, because Dr. King taught me that you should not be afraid to let your passion show and inspire people, no matter their class, race, creed or religion. Every time I step out onto the stage, I imagine Dr. King in the audience smiling, content with what he has taught me. When I sing Spirituals, especially, I almost feel as if I am marching down some Southern Road, hand-in-hand with all those who strive for Racial Equality, and singing “We Shall Overcome.” I may not have been alive at the time Dr. King was, but through these experiences, I feel as if I have visited with him many times, sharing in his life and he has, likewise, shared in mine.

I am a member of the three choirs and in these groups, I have learned that, because I am an experienced singer and a leader, I help to lead our choirs to greatness and striving to be all that we can be. It is all fine and good for a teacher to be a leader, but when you have students within the group who are also leading the others in the group to be strong, independent performers, you find that the group is even more successful! Every day I think of Dr. King and what he has taught me about leading within these groups. Just the other day, our director was out sick and he asked a few of the strongest performers within the group to lead the group in his absence. He chose me, and I was honored. I stepped in front of the group, fearless and proud, and led them in an Italian Renaissance Madrigal with passion and a zest for truly-grand music making.

I, as many others do, look to the future and know that the future will hold many opportunities for us all. I look forward to leading in my everyday life until the day I die, as Dr. King prematurely did. As I move on to another college, another job and another life altogether, I will hold the teachings of Dr. King close to my heart. He will be there with me, holding my hand through the tough times and shouting with praise during the victories, just as he did while fighting restlessly for the Civil Rights Movement. The future holds many failures and many victories for us all, and if we learn from the true leaders in our lives, we too can become the leaders of tomorrow, just as Dr. King did before us.

Dr. King has inspired countless people: people of every race, every religion, every social standing and every lifestyle. He continues to remind us that we still have a while to go until we are all equal, but we should be content in the fact that we do not have to go through the journey alone. Dr. King has thousands upon thousands of people following his every word and learning from him. I hope one day people will listen to me as intently as they listened to him, waiting in fevered anticipation for the next word I will utter, to better myself and the world.

A few Novembers ago, my dad and I went to go see Mavis Staples in concert in Downtown Chicago, and she talked at length about being with Dr. King on one of his marches, and as a tear came to her eye and a sullen dulled crack overtook her voice, she said – “We still have a while to go, but what Dr. King taught us will continue to live in our hearts. I will never forget what his life meant.”

Dr. King has taught me that any person, big or small, can change the world.