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As a visitor, I walked slowly towards the balcony at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, I could almost hear the words of Dr. Martin Luther King as I looked up to the third-floor balcony where Dr. King was shot and killed at about 6:01 pm on April 4, 1968. It was a calm, balmy night in Memphis, and there was a stillness around the hotel where one could even now hear the echo ring from his “I have a dream” vision, which he carried with him always.
People all across the country and in communities in Texas and Colorado County will gather on Monday January 19 to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We will reflect upon his enduring message of justice, equality and service, while renewing our own commitments to strengthen our local neighborhoods and schools.
Both local and national events marking the federal holiday will be widespread, including marches, prayer services, educational programs and volunteer projects. From large to small rural towns, they will speak of Dr. King’s vision for a more just and compassionate society.
Many ceremonies will begin with highlighting Dr. King’s vision for a more participatory and shared world. His leadership during the Civil Rights movement and his advocacy for non-violent social change prompts many to change directions and take on social leadership themselves, seeing today’s relevance and necessity.
“Dr. King reminded us that progress requires courage, service, and a willingness to stand up for what is right,” said a community leader.” A local pastor said, “His legacy challenges each of us to play a role in building stronger, more inclusive communities.”
This day is also a day of volunteerism and individual community service for all our people both young and old. This national day of service includes individuals, schools, churches, and non-profit groups who help with food drives neighborhood projects and assistance to families in need. Dr. King believed that ‘”Service to others is a cornerstone of personal giving and social justice.”
Martin Luther King Day has been observed and celebrated since 1986. King’s view was to use the past to inspire others, and to thoughtfully engage young people with the challenges facing our communities today. “We must use the past on this day for learning, remembering, and celebrating a life well-lived, which continues to guide and inspire.”
Dr. King’s dream was not about the world that was, but about the world as it could be. This special day reminds us that the work for justice and equality must continue, “and that it belongs to all of us.”
