THEME:

TAKE A STAND UP FOR TRUTH & JUSTICE

By: Ariana Cawthorn

2018 Martin L. King Jr. Speech Writer Winner

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

Although these words were spoken decades ago, by Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

they still hold weight to this day. Some believes silence keeps problems at bay and that if no

one speaks then maybe the problem will go away, but no, I stand here to testify that is not

the way. Yes I know we have been dragged through the slums of oppression and

depression, but I am here to hold your hand and fight this fight with you for our

progression. Though yesterday was filled with hardship, today we will take our stand for

truth and justice.

Legendary leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela, and Dr.

King all took a stand for truth and justice, no matter if it got hectic.

They saw things from a clearer perspective,

And wanted others to understand,

So they stood firm in their position until society met their demands.

They all fought from a day to day basis, just to be the bases of a new foundation.

I solemnly swear to tell the truth,

the whole truth,

And nothing but the truth so help me God.

Yet what is my truth if some choose not to believe,

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ARIANA CAWTHORN – 2018 Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Winner
Winner
And try to hurt me,

Because to have this truth, we need trust,

That means approaching it sensitively,

Yet we seem to always include race,

Which subjects us to a place of stereotypes,

Where we have to deal with others insensibility,

And if you’re one race you’re a supremacists,

And ghetto when you talk like this.

There’s so much race this and race that,

It’s time to STOP!

Erase that and face facts.

September 17, 1787 the US Constitution established America’s government, and

guaranteed basic right for its citizens,

And in this constitution it has a phrase that says “establish justice.” This is the same justice

that was also promised in August of 1892 in the the Pledge of Allegiance,

When it says we stand as “one nation “and tells us “justice for all.”

All I want is for justice to comfort me,

Because the lies has us suffocating,

And soon the truth like Eric Garner won’t be able to breathe.

Somebunny has got to do something

And, yes, I did say “Some bunny”

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ARIANA CAWTHORN – 2018 Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Winner
Winner
In the movie Zootopia

There is a fox that wants to buy a jumbo pop for his son,

And they’re sold at an elephant’s store.

The elephant didn’t want to sell the jumbo pop,

Because the customer was a fox.

And the elephant told him to go,

To a ice cream place in “his part of town.”

A rabbit, who was a police officer of Zootopia,

Intervenes to help the fox,

By pointing out the discrimination that was being done,

And later buys the jumbo pop for his young son.

I share this story with you,

To show that we do not have stay within the status quo,

And that anybody can be the rabbit

To take a stand for the fox.

So that you realize it only takes one,

to stand up for the wrong being done,

Because when you sit and do nothing,

You tell me who is the real enemy.

Being a leader doesn’t matter on your age, race, or any physical traits,

It’s where you take place in justice.

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ARIANA CAWTHORN – 2018 Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Winner
Winner
1 Timothy 4:12 says “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but

set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

There are those who watch, those who wonder, and those who make the

change. If you can’t stand something don’t just sit back and expect it to die down, let’s take

a stand for truth and justice. We will put back the true in truth and just in justice. Dr. King

once said “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort

and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

So where will you stand?