With human achievement, we often adorn those who have achieved remarkable feats with laurels of praise and admiration. These accolades belong to individuals who have scaled mountains, shattered glass ceilings, or carved paths through uncharted territory. We celebrate their accomplishments, often attributing their success to sheer hard work or innate talent. Yet, do we scrutinize the context in which these feats occur?
Imagine a race. Entrants enter. Yet, some are favored in entering because of an affiliation to a named organization. Then, others who do enter are not permitted to nourish themselves in the same way, and at the start, a few are given a head start before the starting gun fires. And someone wins the race. What is remarkable, and does it depend on who won?
True meritocracy should be a race where every participant enters with equal opportunity and is judged by the same standards. Regrettably, our world still grapples with inequalities that cast shadows on this ideal. Discrimination based on race, gender, age, and other factors continues to mar the fairness of the race.
Consider a world where the concept of “remarkable” isn’t solely determined by the achievement itself but rather by the individual’s merits, free from prejudice and limitations. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. envisioned such a world where character, competence, and courage were the yardsticks for remarkable achievements.
He championed civil rights and equality, not just for one group but for all, irrespective of their backgrounds. His dream was a world where every person had an equal chance to shine, unburdened by the weight of prejudice. In Dr. King’s vision, the true measure of remarkable lay in one’s ability to rise above societal biases and transcend barriers.
As we commemorate his legacy, reflect that the pursuit of remarkable achievements should not be tainted by discrimination. Let us work towards a world where everyone, regardless of their race, gender, or age, has an equal opportunity to excel. In such a world, the true essence of “remarkable” would shine through, reflecting the boundless potential of every individual to make a difference. The race should be equal to everyone.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dreamed of such a world. Can we turn that dream into reality by dismantling the barriers that still hinder the accurate measure of remarkable in our society? Each day, we participate in the race. As an entrant, official, or even a willing spectator, our role as leaders is essential in determining what is remarkable in our race.
