The nation honors Martin Luther King, Jr., on the third Monday of January. The original intention of the holiday was to “serve as a time for Americans to reflect on the principles of racial equality and nonviolent social change espoused by Martin Luther King, Jr.” Put just a little differently; this is a day to reflect on how to live racial equality (through civil rights and equality under the law) and how to make nonviolent social change (through free and fair elections).
But we live in a divided and distrustful time. Perhaps the equality under the law combined with free and fair elections seems impractical right now. If you are thinking that way, we ask you to reconsider.
Divided people resent unfair treatment. Divided people resent any advantages held by the other side. Resentment often leads to violence, especially when fear is mixed in with resentment. There is no glory in the breakdown of society.
You have much to gain from treating everyone equally well and insisting others do the same. Why? Not just because helping others feels good (it does) but also because others will help you in return. If feeling good means less to you than results, then consider this also: treating everyone well improves the business climate – more customers and less risk to investments means more good jobs.
Lead by example. Let’s all show respect without prejudice to our fellow Americans – regardless of their skin color, ethnicity, political ideology, religion, gender, or sexual preference. Showing respect opens hearts and minds and thus eases our way forward in life. Best of all, respect begets respect.
If you want to learn more about civil rights, equality under the law, or free and fair elections, please visit our website at https://cffad.org/
Image: Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Father Theodore Hesburgh singing “We Shall Overcome” at a 1964 civil rights rally in Soldier Field, Chicago.
