If you find yourself in #Washington DC soon, visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
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Beyond the great design, it takes a close look at the history of African Americans in the US, from the misery of slavery to the courageous achievements of civil rights leaders, and it includes the creative contributions of many African Americans to US culture.
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That is one of the things I love most about US culture - it exists thanks to the diversity of its people. Without the contributions of all races, ethnicities, and immigrants from all over the world, US culture as we know it would not exist.
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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. fought for the recognition of these contributions and the people who made them. He fought for the equality of all Americans, including those who had been designated as "less than": American, deserving of respect, human, for much of the country's history.
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I see many MLK quotes going around today about peace and love, but it's all too easy to forget that MLK never spoke about peace and love in terms of passive acceptance; peace, love, as well as strength of character and education were the tools he espoused to fight for a better future, for progress and for change. Peace, love and nonviolence doesn't mean standing down, or accepting intolerance and ignorance. So I will share one of my favorite MLK quotes I haven't seen much of today.
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"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."