We need another MLK! Soon!

 It’s true. Not since the days of Dr. Martin Luther King have we so desperately needed a similar voice in our country. 

I’m making my point now because January 19 is Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. It’s a national holiday that observes the birthday of one of the nation’s greatest heroes of all times. Dr. King was born on January 15, 1929…he was assassinated in 1968. On MLK Day we honor Dr. King's leadership in the Civil Rights Movement, where he served as a pivotal leader for justice and equality. He wanted civil rights for people of color in the United States and insisted that this could be accomplished through the use of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience. His target was Jim Crow laws and other forms of legalized discrimination. 

Our President doesn’t much care for this holiday. He couldn’t rescind it, but he could disrupt our observance of the day. For example, Trump rescinded fee-free days at national parks for both Martin Luther King Jr. Day as well as Juneteenth. 

I contend that we need another MLK today because of unprecedented unrest and discontent during my lifetime. It’s not mandatory that our new hero be a man, or Black, or a preacher, as the current national issues are not specifically about race. It’s about preserving democracy as we have known it, and opposing philosophies such as fascism and dictatorship. 

To support my position, I’d like to share some MLK comments that can still apply today. 

On a reason why so many Americans are not pleased: 

“When you cut facilities, slash jobs, abuse power, discriminate, drive people into deeper poverty & shoot people dead whilst refusing to provide answers or justice, the people will rise up & express their anger & frustration if you refuse to hear their cries. A riot is the language of the unheard.” 

On nationwide protests against ICE:

“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.” And…

“The time is always right to do what is right.” And…

“For when people get caught up with that which is right and they are willing to sacrifice for it, there is no stopping point short of victory.” 

For those disinterested American citizens unwilling to take a stand, grumbling, “It is what it is:” 

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” And…

“"A time comes when silence is betrayal" 

On our current administration’s efforts to punish all who have opposed the president: 

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a permanent attitude.” 

On our current policies and attitudes towards immigrants: 

“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” 

On the horrendous number of proven lies from the White House: 

“A lie cannot live.” And…

“Nothing in this world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” 

On injustice: 

“True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” 

Finally, words of encouragement for those of us who pray that a person of charisma, integrity and fortitude may rise up soon to help salvage the land we love: 

“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.” 

And so, let us never weaken in our pursuit of finding that new public figure who possesses the drive, the kindness, the compassion, and yes, the capabilities and thoughts similar to those of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  

Discouragement is not an option! 

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”