Rev Martin Luther King Jr at Selma March 1965

Monday, January 18, 2021 is  Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Tributes to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.  are held in the Unites States nationwide. The day is usually marked by massive commemorations including march protests to remember and celebrate the national civil rights leader who was instrumental in challenging the racial caste system that delineated how millions of Americans lived their lives and promoted racial injustices targeting minorities, especially Blacks.  This  year is unique:  Rev Martin Luther King Jr.'s  the birthday falls in a period of major political changes, including transition to a new presidency, and racial tensions in the United States and in the middle of a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

Kamala Harris and Joe Biden on a Campaign Trail

Kamala Harris, the US Vice-President elect, is currently California Senator and served as former district attorney and California State Attorney General. She is the first Black woman to be on a U.S. presidential ticket, hence will be the first Black Woman to be US Vice-president.

General Evariste Ndayishimiye sworn in as President of Burundi, June 18, 2020

 General Evariste Ndayishimiye is one of the freedom fighters who liberated Burundians from years of oppression. He is the current President of  Burundi.  Democratically elected on May 20, 2020, he was initially due to take office on August 20, 2020 at the end of his predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza' s  term. The sudden death of the latter on June 8, 2020 at the age of 55 after 15 years in power changed the situation. General Evariste Ndayishimiye, was sworn in on Thursday June 18, 2020, becoming the 10th President to rule the country, but only the second to be democratically elected. 

Rev Martin Luther King Jr at Selma March 1965

Monday January 20, 2020 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Tributes to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.  are held in the Unites States nationwide. The day is usually marked by  massive commemorations including march protests to remember and celebrate the national civil rights leader who was instrumental in challenging the racial caste system that delineated how millions of Americans lived their lives. 

Ava DuVernay and Exonerated 5 at the Emmys in 2019

Ava DuVernay is director, producer, and screenwriter. She is known as the first Black woman to win the Best Feature Directing award at Sundance in 2012, the first Black woman to get a Best Director Golden Globe nomination, the first woman of color to direct a Oscar-nominated best picture film, and the first woman to direct a film that grossed more than $100 million domestically.

Abiy Ahmed Ali visiting Ethiopian diaspora in the US, August 2018

Julius Malema is young. Despite his youth, he is one of the top peaceful freedom fighters in Africa. He has been the leader of those seeking and struggling for social justice and equality. He is at the forefront of rejecting any form of discrimination, racism, and prejudice in South Africa. He has dedicated his life to fighting corruption. For that, he has called for a new revolution in South Africa and in Africa in general