“Life’s most persistent and urgent question…”

(from africawithin.com)

42 years ago, one of America’s greatest champions for peace and social justice was cut down too early. Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy of nonviolent struggle for social change is one that has resonated around the world and his dream of a better world lives on, though too often unfulfilled, decades after his death.

In a  climate of heated rhetoric, when the idea that words matter is increasingly clear, King’s oratorical gifts are sorely missed. He is mostly remembered as the voice of the Civil Rights movement in America, although towards the end of his life he’d begun to turn to other concerns as well, such as workers’ rights, opportunities for the disenfranchised and, despite criticism from other civil rights leaders, the Vietnam War.  He gave his first antiwar speech on April 4th, 1967, denouncing violent action in favor of peaceful processes. Although that war is over, his words on the subject remain relevant and pointed.

“We still have a choice today: nonviolent coexistence or violent co-annihilation. We must move past indecision to action. We must find new ways to speak for peace in Vietnam and justice throughout the developing world, a world that borders on our doors. If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark, and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight. Now let us begin. Now let us rededicate ourselves to the long and bitter, but beautiful, struggle for a new world.”

Today marks the 25^th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  Dr. King’s legacy continues to inspire and bring hope.

This courageous leader dedicated and ultimately lost his life to his passion for equality and commitment to serving others. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is widely celebrated as a day of community service, a time to give back. At MLKDay.gov there are many resources to help plan a day of service. What are you doing for others on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?'”
–Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

We leave you with the voice of a man who is best represented by his own words. His speech “I have a Dream” shows how far we have come and how much further we still have to go until his words are realized.