Freedom From Economic Disparity
Celebrating the life and passions of Martin L. King, Jr. means something different depending on one’s perspective. People of color celebrated having an advocate who spoke the message they had carried with them for generations. Pre-Covid Monday holidays meant a day off of school, work, or public service, a three day weekend to linger longer in a warm bed. American teachers spent time educating children on the essential and timely changes that Dr. King ( https://www.britannica.com/biography/Martin-Luther-King-Jr) advocated for during his time: freedom from oppression and the right of all people to pursue happiness. Nobody reading this could argue that without economic opportunity, freedom of any type is not an option.
Forty percent of our micro-business class graduates have gone onto start their own economic ventures.
A beacon of hope and awareness in the trajectory of hardship among marginalized Americans, Dr. King’s message is not part of the international historical dialogue. Our Egyptian and Guatemalan micro-business students do not know his message; for them the third Monday in January has no national significance. Their scholastic books made no mention of this man who was small in stature and large in wisdom. But they know a thing or two about the marginalization that accompanies economic disparity.
None of our micro-business participants were born into anything other than generational poverty. Having enough of an income to feed, house, and educate their children is the highest aspiration any of them can imagine. The oft-quoted phrase from Martin Luther King, Jr., “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle,” are words these women have not personally heard, but they certainly understand.
Forty percent of our micro-business class graduates have gone onto start their own economic ventures. These women may never read about the man who fought for marginalized peoples’ rights in the U.S.A, but they have lived his message. They know that the FFF portal into learning how to earn a viable income is just the beginning of a lifetime of hard work. The struggle for income equality among women is universal. Finding Freedom through Friendship has limited ability to change generational outcomes of disparity for any mother or child outside of our program. But similarly to Dr. King, we have a dream for all women who struggle to provide for their children.