Celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

by Victoria Backle
Staff Writer

Every January, Americans celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We honor his diligence, his graceful presence, and his bravery amidst a bitter world. We remember the persistent battle towards an equal America and his poetic skill as an orator, which to this day leaves us breathless. Dr. King led the fight towards civil liberty for all human beings and perhaps that legacy, and his teachings, are needed desperately once more.

As a nation at yet another historical turning point, and on the cusp of racial and social strain, Dr. King’s words continue to hold indisputable truth. What was once a moving speech in Birmingham, Alabama are now words that need to be heard through the streets of Detroit, the homes of Ferguson and the hills of Standing Rock.

We would be wise to follow Dr. King’s advice to replace the hatred that is so prevalent in this world with love for all mankind.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness;” states a famous quote of King’s. “Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

I often wonder what Dr. King would think of the progress that Americans have made, but I am also disheartened by the level of intolerance we are facing. Perhaps he too would be disappointed by the back-peddling we have seen over the last couple of years and the racial disparity; or maybe it is just work that is unfinished. Maybe, if the last years have proved anything, we must be as diligent as Dr. King was. We must move forward with open eyes and be aware of the injustices that are still ignored.

Martin Luther King taught us many things. He showed an entire generation of Americans what peaceful protest can accomplish. He proved that a movement based on non-violence is far more effective than brutality. He told African Americans that a dream is the pathway to reality and that a better, equal America is possible.

As a millennial, my respect for MLK is far deeper than a passing tribute. As I watch the country I love fall back into old patterns, my respect turns into solidarity. A solidarity that is as loyal as Dr. King’s unwavering determination, as complex as his enduring diction and as necessary now as it was in 1964.

Dr. King was taken from this world too soon. He did not get to see the result of the movement he so passionately aided, but we Americans have inherited that responsibility. We are shifting into an uncertain time and with the example he set for us sixty years ago, perhaps we can avoid making the same mistakes.

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., parades will be held throughout the nation on January 16. If you are interested in registering or being a part of a parade, you can find information at www.nationalservice.gov/mlkday.

Copyright 2017 The Gayly – January 16, 2017 @ 7:40 a.m.