Transformative Justice: Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase. — Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Since those words were spoken, the United States has made significant progress toward becoming the nation it once set out to be — a land of equality. These advances came about because people with faith in a better future took action.
Think back ten years. What if someone had told you that with relentless volunteer action we would:
- Provide 16.4 million uninsured Americans with access to affordable health care?
- Guarantee a living wage for as many as 18,000 jobs in New York City and all New York State government employees?
- Celebrate legal weddings of our LGBT friends and family across the nation?
- Listen to a black American president give his eighth #SOTU?
All these achievements in progressive politics began with the belief that inequality should and would be conquered. Then people like you stepped forward to make it true.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was lauded for his nonviolent approach to advocacy against inequality. However, we must never forget that he led a life of action and transformation. Nonviolent does not mean non-confrontational, nor does it mean non-political.
On the last day of his life, Dr. King was supporting a controversial movement for fair wages and safe working conditions for black sanitation workers. Let us move forward in the memory of him and others who fought before us for human rights and dignity. Let us carry on the work with the same spirit of truth.
Here are some ways to do that today.
TAKE ACTION:
Monday, Jan. 18th: #InvestMonday with the Ferguson Action Team
Full civil and human rights for Black Americans is not a struggle of the past. Black people in the USA live with the pain of racial and economic inequality every day.
Visit ReclaimMLK.com and text MLK to 90975 to learn more about realizing the dream today as we revive the true legacy of the civil rights movement in cities across the nation.
Monday, Jan. 18th 2pm: 14th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Interfaith Peace Walk
Organized by the Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing. The sites are:
- Holy Name of Jesus Church (96/Amsterdam) – where we will gather at 2 PM
- St Gregory the Great Church (90/Amsterdam)
- West Park Presbyterian Church (86/Amsterdam)
- St Paul & St Andrews / B’nai Jeshurun (86/West End Avenue)
- Rutgers Church (73/Broadway)
- Church of the Blessed Sacrament (71/Broadway) – for a reception (at approx. 4 PM)
GET INFORMED:
Learn more about some of the campaigns to address issues of racial and economic justice:
VOCAL-NY grassroots volunteers organize around issues that disproportionately affect people of color, including HIV/AIDS, the drug war, and mass incarceration. Their site provide updates and information on how to get involved.
Police Brutality disproportionately affects black people. Support efforts to pressure our national leaders to end this crisis so that all of us can live freely and safely.
WATCH:
Monday, Jan. 18th, 3 to 8 pm #MLKNow
This live event at Riverside Church in Harlem is sold out but can be seen via Livestream: http://livestream.com/trcnyc/MLKNOW2016 Blackout for Human Rights and the Campaign for Black Male Achievement (CBMA) will host a celebration of the legacy of Dr. King, exploring how his message and vision continue to resonate in today’s racial, social, and political landscape. The event features historic speeches and musical performances by some of today’s leading actors and artists.
Panelists include Filmmaker and Blackout Member Ryan Coogler, Grammy-Nominated Hip Hop Artist J. Cole, Urban Cusp Founder and Publisher Rahiel Tesfamariam, Arab American Association of New York Executive Director Linda Sarsour, Million Hoodies Movement for Justice Executive Director Dante Barry, Filmmaker/Activist and Sakofa.org Co-Director Gina Belafonte; and Activist Leon Ford, Jr. Moderated by MSNBC National Reporter Trymaine Lee.