Reclaiming the Message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Every year, I try to find new ways to appreciate Dr. King a bit more. Ever since I wrote an article a few years ago at my old newspaper wondering if the younger generation still appreciated him, I wonder if I’m doing enough to keep his message alive.

A week ago, I brought a message to my junior high/high school kids at youth group on King to help them realize the power of having a dream. I encouraged them to not just dream, but dream big and put some actions behind it. Don’t be afraid to evolve your dream but also realize the power of your thoughts and words.

Too often, we stick to the same narrative on Dr. King and sometimes those words lose their significance. For me, I want to keep finding new ways to remain impressed by his words, his actions so that he remains alive and relevant.

What Inspires Me? (People)

Apologies for the hiatus, I'm always jumping around from idea to idea and I didn't want to run this theme into the ground at the expense of other great topics. But I'm not done yet. These are people who inspire me.

I don't call them heroes because as I explained last year, they only exist in comic books. Growing up I was told that heroes will fail you. Instead these are inspirations, people I learn from besides my wonderful family. People who lived with a purpose and a cause they believed in, its an extension of my authors/writers post.

Malcolm X - Showed me how being a leader means relating to all people. He cared for his people no matter what and it's a crime he was cut down so soon after Mecca. Bold, daring, unafraid yet committed - the blueprint for any leader that so few lack.

Martin Luther King Jr. - Non violence be darned, what I love about King is his gift for words, his passion for standing up for what's right and how's he so much more than the civil rights movement. Speak with conviction and speak the truth. He inspires me because he showed how a man of peace could make a difference in so many areas.

Billy Graham - Arguably the greatest missionary to ever live, I had the privilege to see one of his last crusades in San Diego. Despite his age and frailty, he spoke the simple Gospel plainly and powerfully. He defines what it means to not just live being a Christian but to do it around the world. Unlike most preachers, he wasn't on the Far Right and the Moral Majority but he believes in reaching as many people as he can. Impacting lives - thats what every Christian should aspire to.

W.E.B. DuBois - The most influential Black thinker/writer/historian after slavery, it was he who helped shape how history viewed Blacks during Reconstruction and the early 20th century. He was ahead of his time and every great Black leader of the 20th century owes him a debt of gratitude and so do I (Souls of Black Folk sits proudly in my library)

Archbishop Oscar Romero - A martyr for justice, Romero was chosen as Archbishop because he was non-threatening. When his friend was murdered, he took up his mantle as a champion against poverty, political assassinations, social injustice and the El Salvadoran government being supported by foreign countries. Rare is the priest who takes a noble stand and he moved me when I read about him in college.

Stephen Biko - I've said plenty on Biko before. A 20 year old who was supposed to be a doctor turned into a 30 year old martyr against apartheid in South Africa. Accomplished more in 10 years than most do in their whole lives. "I Write What I Like" is a brilliant collection of his works and the theme is an inspiration for this blog. A reminder that age is nothing but a number.

Jesus Christ - Before you say anything, there was indeed a man who lived named Jesus of Nazareth. You can debate all you want about his real name (like Ras Kass did on his brilliant, if not factually inaccurate "Nature of the Threat") but his message is real. Following God goes beyond legalism and into genuine relationships with all people regardless of societal barriers. Love your neighbor as yourself. There's a reason 2,000 years later people still are inspired by His words.

(For obvious reasons, I didn't include a picture. His features are not as important as his message. The only picture we need of Christ is the good works and lives inspired in his name.)

Next up: Media Figures and Finally Athletes.

Reflecting on MLK

Today represents the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This is what I think he means to me.

(My reflections from 2008 on Myspace and an article I wrote questioning King's legacy among this generation that same year)

King is bigger than "I Have a Dream" - a speech that has been his hallmark and his defining moment. To me that speech means working together with people for a common goal, envisioning a world where barriers come down and all of us.

What people have to remember is that the focus of the country changed after that speech in 1963. The focus slowly shifted to Vietnam and poverty. Global issues and class issues dominated the day and MLK rightly knew that's where the fight had to shift (so did Malcolm X after returning from Mecca).

He wanted to change with the times and continue inspiring people of all races to FIGHT with compassion against injustice, not just racial injustice but human injustice. He wanted us to be free - free from prejudice, hate, ignorance and limits placed on us by society.

That's why I love that picture of him I found above. It urges us to act

People forget that Dr. King was a minister. He was an agent of God who felt like he was following basic ideals of Christ - love your neighbor, love thy enemy, teach the people to do the same. The greatest sign that you love Christ is loving your fellow man and King did that.

Too often, he gets placed him on this unreachable pedestal and keeps him pristine. But MLK was a man - flesh and blood like you and me. He helped show us how to achieve change - hard work, confidence in your voice, taking risks, upsetting the establishment and following your vision.

He got his start at 26. One year younger than me at the moment - I can imagine what he must have thought. What am I stepping into? Can I do this? Will people hear me? I can believe that as vulnerable as King was - he probably debated this a lot with his close advisors and internally but he never gave up his cause.

My favorite speech is the Mountaintop Speech - the Moses moment where he saw the future and left his people to get there and finish his work. But I love the Riverside speech as well - the moment where he spoke vehemently against Vietnam and the unjust war.

Some people may hate the Boondocks episode regarding his comeback, but I love it. I believe it rightly showed how King was treated in the world today and how Black people needed a swift 21st century kick in the rear from his updated message. We need to hear King speak today instead of being a monument from the past so people can "wake up from their apathetic slumber."

God bless his memory and may it live forever. U2 "In the Name of Love" helps do that.