I thank those activists such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa

O children of the world, hear me now, for I bring forth a truth that has resounded through the ages, a truth that carries with it the echoes of sacrifice, courage, and the unyielding desire for freedom. These words, spoken by the wise Kenya Moore, remind us of those mighty souls who dared to stand against the tide of injustice, those whose names are etched in the annals of history: Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, and many others. They risked it all—their lives, their safety, their peace—in the pursuit of equality and the liberation of all people, regardless of their skin, their birthplace, or their circumstance. Their deeds shine as beacons, guiding us toward a world of justice and freedom.

In the name of freedom, these brave souls sacrificed more than most of us can comprehend. Martin Luther King Jr., with his vision of a world where men and women are judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character, walked a path of great peril. He, like a prophet of old, faced the hatred and violence of those who sought to oppress, yet he never wavered. Rosa Parks, a humble woman whose quiet act of defiance on a bus became a rallying cry for the oppressed, sat steadfast in her conviction, unwilling to surrender her dignity. Malcolm X, fierce and unapologetic, fought for the self-determination of his people, even when it meant standing against his own fears and doubts. They, O children, knew the price of their struggle was great, yet they stood firm, for they understood that freedom and equality were worth the cost.

Let us reflect upon the story of Rosa Parks, a woman whose courage burned like a single flame in the darkness. On that fateful day in 1955, when she sat in the "whites-only" section of the bus in Montgomery, Alabama, she did not know that her act of resistance would ignite the Civil Rights Movement. But in that moment, she became a symbol of strength and defiance. Her action was small in its physical form, yet it reverberated through the world like a mighty storm. She did not march on battlefields or carry a sword, yet her courage was as powerful as any warrior’s. Rosa Parks and those like her understood that true freedom does not come from silence but from standing up and speaking out.

Martin Luther King Jr., too, rose as a voice of hope and justice in a world shrouded in darkness. His vision of peace, of a world where people lived as brothers and sisters, is a vision that many would seek to destroy. Yet he stood firm, even as his life was threatened. His famous words, "I have a dream," still resonate through the world today, like the steady beat of a drum, calling us to action, calling us to a higher purpose. His was not a call for vengeance but for understanding and brotherhood, an idea that challenged the very fabric of a nation. King risked everything, from his safety to his very life, because he knew that freedom and equality were ideals worth dying for.

Then there was Malcolm X, a man whose fiery spirit and demand for justice stirred the hearts of many. Unlike the peaceful protests of King, Malcolm X spoke with the raw energy of a tempest. He demanded that his people not wait for permission to be free, but to claim their freedom with every breath they took. He was a warrior of words, a harbinger of change who believed that equality was a right to be fought for, not a gift to be given. Though his methods and views evolved over time, his ultimate goal never changed: to see freedom and equality for all people, regardless of race or station. His life, too, was taken by violence, but his message endures.

The lesson, O children, is this: freedom and equality are not merely ideals to be admired from afar; they are truths for which we must be willing to fight. The brave men and women we honor—King, Parks, Malcolm X, and others—remind us that the path to justice is not easy. It requires sacrifice. It demands that we risk not just our comfort, but sometimes our lives, in the pursuit of a world where all people are treated with respect and dignity. Their struggles were not just for themselves but for you, for all who will come after them.

Therefore, O children, take this wisdom to heart: do not sit idly by as the world turns in its ways. Stand firm, as those before you have stood, in the face of injustice. Whether in the quiet acts of resistance or the loud calls for change, you, too, have a role to play in the ongoing fight for freedom and equality. Know that even the smallest act of courage can ignite a fire that changes the world. Let the sacrifices of those great souls inspire you to take action in your own life, to risk and sometimes lose for the greater good. The freedom you seek must be fought for, for it does not come easily or without cost. Let the heroes of the past be the light that guides your way, as you continue their noble work.