By Rhonda Whitcomb, CNA at Mason Pointe Senior Living Community
For over 20 years I’ve been a CNA. One of my sons is a CNA, my daughter is an LPN, and I have a niece who’s also an LPN. Caring for others and loving those around me is in my blood. And I know for many other people, that love for others is in their blood as well. When it comes to Black History Month, I think this is an opportunity to reflect on all that has happened but also to make a commitment to spend the rest of the year loving and celebrating the differences in those around us.
I’m reminded of Martin Luther King Jr. and his “I Have a Dream” speech that he gave at the Lincoln Memorial in 1963. He said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.”
I have a dream that’s similar too. That we would all live by the Golden Rule – “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. I think we share more similarities than differences. And even within the differences, we can still learn and grow from others – recognizing the beauty in how we’ve been created.
When I help one of our residents, and they tell me thank you, it means the world to me. They’re seeing me for who I am – the love that I have for what I do. They see my character. That’s what the world needs. I encourage everyone to see Black History Month as a time to thank those who blazed a trail. But also to use this month to think about how individually we can bring love to this world.