As we approach Black History Month, a month recognizing the achievements and roles by African Americans, let us remember the legacy of one of the most significant figures in U.S. history, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Most may remember him from his often quoted, “I Have A Dream” speech, delivered in March of 1963. Born on January 15, 1929, Dr. King spent his whole life fighting endlessly for something bigger than a dream: equality and freedom. He advocated for nonviolent resistance against racial segregation.
He first came to prominence in Montgomery, Alabama during a bus boycott by African Americans in 1995. Before this, he contributed to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which proscribe discrimination in public. His involvement during the Birmingham campaign of 1963 resulted in arrest. While in jail, he penned the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” that impacted many with his important messages and relevant quotes. On April 4, 1968, Dr. King was fatally shot in a motel. Shortly after his death, there were calls to establish a national holiday in his honor. In 1983, after receiving opposition, Congress established a federal holiday honoring the achievements and impact of Dr. King. Later on, in the year 2000, all 50 states approved and established MLK Day making the third Monday of January a federal holiday. We now know this as Martin Luther King Day and this year, we celebrated MLK Day on January 18.
As Dr. King took important steps to achieve equality, the push for civil rights remains a major challenge in society today. We are still facing racial issues, battling education inequality, and for some, fighting for equal pay. We continuously call for justice for all. Dr. King’s impact can also be seen from the Black Lives Matter movement (BLM), arguably the largest movement in U.S. history. BLM is a prime and most recent example of a political and social movement that was participated by many, protesting against police brutality and racial violence.
During his lifetime, Dr. King did more than just a dream as he became a civil rights hero for many. His powerful actions resulted in the steadfast advancement of human rights. His legacy lays out a staple model for how we fight injustice and inequality today. Refusing to choose fear, Dr. King fought with courage and determination for civil rights. He understood the value of spreading love and treating everyone with kindness. His contributions to the overall success of the civil rights movement will continue to impact civil rights movements in the present and future. Let us all continue to fight inequalities and injustices while spreading love and ask ourselves life’s most persistent and urgent question: what are we doing for others? Because now more than ever, we must stand and be willing to do what is right toward and for each other as Dr. King once stated, “The time is always right to do what is right.”
Comments