Another Martin Luther King Junior Day has passed and I am reflecting on what King stood for: African American rights; equality; ending segregation, racism, and prejudice. I thank God that segregation is considered to be over but I also wonder if it really is.

This version of segregation is not forced upon us by the government but instead, it is chosen by the people. As a middle schooler, I see people breaking off with others who are strictly like them. Those doing this wouldn’t call it segregation but both actions share the same principles. Even after all King did, people seem to believe that you can only be with those who agree with you. This is inaccurate.

Instances like this take me back to what my mom has been teaching since I was very little “If everyone was the exact same, we wouldn’t accomplish anything”, in other words, differences make the world go around. Unfortunately, so many people seem to disagree with that. Especially in our Government. Our elected officials often blindly agree with someone just because they are in the same party. They segregate themselves! That’s not how our world should be. It should be a place where people can be friends regardless of race, gender, or anything else!

I would like to challenge everyone to branch out. Be kind to people who are different from you, learn about each other’s differences, and nurture that diversity. Without people who tested the limits and branched out, our country wouldn’t exist. If people like MLK hadn’t fought for America and our rights, our country wouldn’t be the way it is today. We might not even be free.

Even though you might not think you can make a difference, especially with something so small as branching out, it’s worth a shot.

IZZY SZYMANSKI,

Alpena