Again, it is time to celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., who would have been 97 on Jan. 15. Since his death on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, so much has changed, and yet, so much has remained the same. The King holiday serves as a time for reflection, community service and the celebration of King’s contributions to the civil rights movement.
King would be proud of present day African American achievements, especially in the political and governmental worlds. Today, thanks mostly to the present Democratic Party, there are significant and influential African Americans in place, which reflects the overall population of America. Kamala Harris served as vice president of the United States; Ketanji Brown Jackson serves as associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court; Lloyd J. Austin III served as secretary of defense; Lisa DeNell Cook is the first African American woman and first woman of color to sit on the Federal Reserve Board of Directors; and the Congressional Black Caucus has 59 members between the House and Senate.
In memory and celebration of King, we must continue to live “the dream.” We must continue to honor King’s memory and legacy by becoming (re)acquainted with his fight for social justice, political fairness and economic equity. Even today, much of this work remains to be done for the overall African American community. In the past several decades, African Americans have come far; however, they still have a great distance to overcome.
Inasmuch, I am sure that King would encourage us to resolve the social, political and economic challenges that buffet us. He would remind us of individual responsibility, family stability, group cohesion and collective empowerment. And he would remind us that many of the answers and solutions lie within us as a people.
King would demand that we empower ourselves (individuals, families and communities) by acquiring social competence and life survival skills of a positive and beneficial nature: literacy and education improvement; work and entrepreneurial attainment; political involvement; crime- and drug-free lifestyles; overall personal and familial betterment; and the like. He would remind us that we are standing on the backs and shoulders of those who have gone before us. In essence, we must continue the “good fight,” for failure is not an option. King would remind us that we are the “masters of our fates … and the captains of our souls …”
Just as importantly, King would motivate and inspire us with the most powerful words in the universe: “If it is to be, it is up to me.” Yes, he would! Also, King would encourage us to show a willingness to know something, to be smart, to be curious, and to be willing to learn and accomplish a lot more. While the world we inhabit may not be all fair or just, we must be willing to try and try and try. In short, we must learn to give life our utmost effort and perform at our maximum capacity.
If King were alive, he would stress the need for building a foundation of empowerment for teaching individuals, families and communities how to tap the power within, rather than depending on handouts and the goodwill of others. Accordingly, he would emphasize the importance of family as the original and best departments of health, education, welfare and salvation. Simply stated, we cannot reasonably expect others to do those things that we should do for ourselves. Over the years, many of our greatest and most influential African American leaders (W.E.B. Du Bois, Booker T. Washington, Paul Robeson, etc.) have espoused these philosophies and principles for motivating and uplifting African Americans.
How I wish King were still alive. He’s not, but his teachings, sacrifices and contributions will always be with us. Let us draw from his legacy and achieve his “dream” for all of us. There is no better way to show respect and appreciation for King and his “dream.”
Therefore, let us “live the dream” to its maximum potential and fullest achievement. This we can do! This we must do!
John L. Horton of Norfolk served 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He has worked and volunteered in juvenile justice, social services, community services boards, public housing, public schools and at colleges and universities.
