While many of us are anticipating the presidential inauguration, I want to remind everyone that we have another equally important day coming up even sooner: Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
It is sobering to think that we are only one or two generations removed from a time when conspicuous segregation and discrimination were legal. I say conspicuous because inconspicuous racism continues to be a problem in this country and the rest of the world.
MLK was indeed the figurehead of the Civil Rights movement. But he was much more than that. He was an electrifying preacher. He was one of the most wise and inspirational leaders of our time.
He was a brave soul, risking his very life by boldly standing for a noble cause. His name deserves reverence not just in the socio-political domain, but in the intellectual and spiritual domain as well.
Many of his sermons and speeches are available online to read or listen to for free. This is a profound resource that I would encourage all to make use of — on any day of the year.
Dr. King brought people together in a way that few ever had before and few have since. In today’s divided political landscape, I hope we can all look to him for inspiration. Let us never forget the sacrifice that he and millions of others made to get to where we are today, and let us never give up on the ideals that they fought for.
— Sally Pickett
Delaware