I have spent this morning, and much of the past four days, attending events celebrating the life and the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His message of hope and his understanding of our reality then and now! It is easy to be dismayed. It is easy to feel defeated. It is understandable to be terrified at the dawn of each new day. My challenge to myself and to each of you: Rise to the challenge! We must be vigilant to ensure our gifts to the world showcase love, kindness and respect for all.
It is in that vein that these gifts can be reflected by others to us. I know that some of you will be shaking your head at this point. We are hurt and angry and terrified. And that hurt and anger and terror is justified. No one has the right to take away your life, your beliefs, your values or anything that makes you a wonderful part of this world.
But, if the only message that is embraced is hatred, what will be the outcome? There is a bitterness in our communities that threatens to poison the good works that we do and that pushes people away from us rather than draws them near.
I am asking that all of us take this hurt and anger and terror and remind the world what makes us truly great. Our diversity, our empathy, our charitable hearts, our discerning minds. King was an impetus for change and equality. He fought on many fronts: economic, education, social justice, the respect of humanity; the list goes on. We have the enduring results of his labors in many of our laws.
The Civil Rights of and the Voting Rights Act of are just two of the laws that were brought to fruition by the work of Dr. King, his colleagues and his supporters. We fight on to ensure these laws were not created in vain. The forces at work today to deny our rights and solidify a world of inequality must not go unchallenged.
