Martin Luther King (MLK) Day of Action

Posted on by

“The time is always right to do what is right.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

With respect towards Martin Luther King Day, this is a terrific time to think of his words and vision, and try to employ them in our daily lives at home and at work.

“Let this holiday be a day of reflection, a day of teaching non-violent philosophy and strategy, a day of getting involved in non-violent action for social and economic progress”, wrote Coretta Scott King in The Washington Post in 1983.

The day is more than a day of celebration of the civil rights leader.

“Too many Americans would rather celebrate than follow Dr. King”, as Marian Wright Edelman, President, Children’s Defense Fund, commented. “Many celebrate Dr. King the orator, but ignore his words about the need for reordering the misguided values and national investment priorities he believed are the seeds of America’s downfall.”

“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Dr. King’s greatness lay in his willingness to struggle to hear and see the truth; to not give into fear, uncertainty and despair; to continue to grow and to never lose hope, despite every discouragement from his government and even his closest friends and advisers” Edelman advises.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in his last Sunday sermon at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. in 1968, said:

“It may well be that we will have to repent in this generation. Not merely for the vitriolic words and the violent actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence and indifference of the good people who sit around and say, ‘Wait on time.’ Somewhere we must come to see that human progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and the persistent work of dedicated individuals who are willing to be co-workers with God. And without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the primitive forces of social stagnation. So we must help time and realize that the time is always ripe to do right.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The “time is ripe right to do what is right” and reject the ugliness, bitterness and greed that have permeated too much of our political discourse. For example, the two U.S. Senate runoff races in Georgia that determined control of the U.S. Senate laid bare the depths of despicableness and hatefulness both conservative and liberal operatives would venture to win those seats for their respective side. The political discourse over linear and social media forced many Georgians to silence their media and not answer their phones.

” We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Moving forward

We need to move forward and not backward and relearn for ourselves and teach our children we can disagree strongly without disagreeing wrongly. “We have a voice, and we are powerful”, said Jennifer Lockwood-Shabat, President and CEO, Washington Area Women’s Foundation. “It’s how we choose to harness our voice and power in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead that matters. We cannot be overwhelmed by the tasks at hand. There are actions each of us can take in our daily lives to make a difference.” Lockwood-Shabat states that you can:

  • “Make an effort to understand opinions and beliefs that are different from yours. Read books and articles that explore different opinions and perspectives. Seek out media outlets and journalists that you may not necessarily follow. Have meaningful conversations with the friend, neighbor, or colleague with whom you may disagree.”
  • “Get involved locally. Feel passionate about an issue in your community? Get involved and learn more. Find the organization leading the charge on the issue and get connected. Attend local government meetings or hearings on the issue you care about. Volunteer.”
  • “Become politically active at the local level. Regardless of your political affiliation, become informed about races happening in your own backyard. Learn more about the candidates and their positions. Attend events and voice your opinion and concerns. Support the development of the next generation of political leadership. Consider running for office.”
  • “Use your voice. Speak up when you see a wrong that needs to be righted, whether it’s in your neighborhood, your school or your workplace. Write your local political leaders. Write a letter to the editor or an op-ed.”

MLK Day brings with it a sense of optimism and hope, whether that means you resolve to help others, spend more time taking care of yourself, learn something new. You can be more resolved and committed to fighting for a fairer and more just and equitable community for all Americans.

“Whatever your life’s work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

It maybe unrealistic to burden you with the country’s problems, but if you can do something positive for someone or within your community, it’s a start.

The hope is that Dr. King’s words are as powerful today as when he first said them and that they will inspire positive change and development in the world. For example, he exclaimed, “Lightning makes no sound until it strikes.”

What he meant was that “Apathy cannot be tolerated by an individual, a leader or an organization. If you see something happening, don’t wait for the negative ramifications to occur. Respond to the issue and act. If nothing is said or done, then silence connotes complicity — and that’s what people remember.”

References:

  1. https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2021/01/18/martin-luther-king-jr-life-leadership-lessons.html?__twitter_impression=true
  2. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-time-is-always-right_b_9592976
  3. https://thewomensfoundation.org/2017/time-always-right-whats-right/
  4. https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/trump-biden-election-day-2020/card/csOMnlXFihSgJ256gUwI
Advertisements