When people of color hear these phrases about what this country is not, it exposes either the political naivete of the speaker or their dormant racism.

This year’s celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday was overshadowed by the chaos engulfing our country. We often quote Dr. King’s words, which hold true value every day of the year, not just on a single holiday. Our nation is at a critical crossroads where mere words have become meaningless; it is time to fully embrace and implement the legacy of our beloved visionary.

We’re still talking about Lamar’s 2025 halftime show, and we’ll be talking about Bad Bunny’s for months to come. Both artists have challenged our critical thinking with their use of symbolism and layered messages woven into the cultural moments that occurred between touchdowns. This was a refreshing change from the mindless entertainment that we are often presented with daily.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Negro History Week. Historian Carter G. Woodson established this week in February to honor the birthdays of two of his esteemed heroes, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Over the next 50 years, the week was expanded into a full month, and the term “Negro” was replaced by “Black.” In 2026, descendants of African slaves embrace and celebrate their history year-round. We recognize that our history extends far beyond the time we were kidnapped and brought to these shores. People of African descent also know that our history is integral to American history.

As the city grappled with weather-related challenges, the state-appointed pro-police Board of Commissioners and the police union schemed to secure yet another raise for cops. This lack of transparency underscores the urgent need for local control of the police department. It also reveals the police union’s endless attempts to undermine citizen-led oversight.

I don’t think Dr. King would be able to contain his outrage at MAGA and its Project 2025 plan, which are driving people into poverty and endangering lives by eliminating affordable healthcare. The sight of trump deploying the military against unarmed citizens and immigrants would make his stomach turn.

When I think about the Trump administration’s seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, I can’t help but think about the quote from the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Those who love peace must learn to organize as effectively as those who love war.” The peacemakers are losing ground.

A call for a serious discussion to answer an age-old question. Black people are beyond tired to the bone. Our fatigue of playing the citizenship game goes all the way to the marrow.

n the Black community, we jokingly talk about being po, not poor. That’s our colloquial term for worse than being poor, as in “I’m too po to pay attention.” Now, we might have some clarity on the economic levels of society’s classes.