Firstly, we the people owe a great deal to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. A majority of us Americans were living with a sense of guilt, a sense of being rotten the way we treated our fellow men and women. His struggle has liberated us from such pain, and has brought freedom to the oppressed Black Men and women, we still have ways to go, but go we will.
Secondly, we the people appreciate the white majority to have stood up for what was right – and join MLK on the steps of Lincoln Memorial to let the administration know what was morally right needs to become the law of the land.
Thirdly, we appreciate the African American community for enduring the humility and non-violently appealing to the morality of the nation and bring about the change that was needed.
Fourthly, we the immigrant Americans, particularly the non-whites would not have made it to America, had it not been for the Civil rights acts that MLK caused to happen. All of us non-white Americans owe our success to MLK and we need to pray for his soul today.
Fifthly, as Indian Americans, we appreciate MLK, who saw the value in Mahatma Gandhi’s’ non-violent methods to turn the oppressors around to see the futility in their approach. In MLK’s own voice – https://www.facebook.com/cspanhistory/videos/880821915364690/
Sixthly, as Muslim Americans, we are deeply committed to building a cohesive America, where no American has to feel alienated, apprehensive or fearful of the fellow Americans. We are committed to the safety and security of America.
Seventhly, I invite my fellow Americans to take time to reflect on the bottom line work of all the great spiritual masters and civic leaders in creating such societies, and share your favorite quote of MLK.
God bless Martin Luther King Jr., and God bless America!
Mike Ghouse : The author is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, terrorism, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine and foreign policy.
“Today, as we honor an inspirational and exemplary leader in the fight for equality, we must continue in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy making sure that every person in this country is treated equally. From opening our doors to recent immigrants looking for a better opportunity, to ensuring that workers are getting paid a fair wage and putting forward policies to uplift all New Yorkers, we must renew our commitment to creating the kind of world Dr. King envisioned. The City Council stands with our city’s labor unions in the fight to provide a living wage for all New Yorkers and will continue to dedicate our work in making Dr. King’s dream a reality.”
Melissa Mark-Viverito
Speaker, New York City Council
Today, millions of Americans from coast to coast will gather to commemorate the life, legacy, and work of the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
We do so because America, as we know it, would not exist if not for the road that Dr. King paved for us – a road paved by the blood, sweat, and tears of civil rights martyrs. He broke down walls and shattered obstacles for so many of us, so that we could live in a more fair and just world.
But unfortunately, we are still from achieving the perfect union we envision. In this country, there are still people mistreated because of the color of their skin, the person they choose to love, or the place they choose to pray.
Let us use not just today, but every single day, to carry on Dr. King’s legacy of justice to get closer to that equal society. We must all work together to stand up against injustice and intolerance wherever we see it in the world. We must all do our part to make our neighborhoods, communities, and our country better places to live.