Martin Luther King, Jr., was an African American minister and social activist who helped lead the Civil Rights Movement from the mid-1950s until his death by assassination in 1968. He was head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which promoted nonviolent activities, including the March on Washington in 1963. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
His words live on most notably through his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and “I Have a Dream” speech. The movement he helped lead lives on through those who continue to act toward the pursuit of racial equality and economic justice.
In Dr. King’s 1967 speech “Where Do We Go From Here?,” he states:
And I say to you, I have decided to stick with love, for I know that love is ultimately the only answer to mankind’s problems. And I’m going to talk about it everywhere I go. I know it isn’t popular to talk about it in some circles today. And I’m not talking about emotional bosh when I talk about love. I’m talking about a strong, demanding love. For I have seen too much hate.
This powerful quote resonates as we look forward to all that we can accomplish together in allyship with those experiencing oppression and marginalization. These themes are highlighted today and demonstrated daily through Metropolitan Pediatrics’ mission and values.
The celebration or holiday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is to commemorate the struggle of the Civil Rights Movement, what has been endured by African Americans, and the progress made under the guidance of prominent civil rights leaders.
Martin Luther King, Jr., Day is commonly referred to as “a day on, not a day off” to give back to our communities through a day of service. While we recognize that the Civil Rights Movement made significant strides forward, there is still work to be done. Metropolitan Pediatrics clinics will be open and serving our communities on this important day, and we encourage you to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy by continuing to pursue his call for racial equity and social justice.
Let this day remind you to take a moment to reflect on how you will show strong love this year and what single actions, big and small, each of us can take daily to be inclusive, aware of our biases, and empathetic to the struggles and experiences of all people.
Martin Luther King, Jr., was known for many great things, but most of all, he preached kindness and compassion. Share a smile or laugh with someone today, check in with the people in your life, and take good care of each other. Simply make it a point to spread kindness to all as Martin Luther King, Jr., dreamt for our future.
Excerpt From “The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman
We will rise from the gold-limbed hills of the west.
We will rise from the windswept northeast,
where our forefathers first realized revolution.
We will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the midwestern states.
We will rise from the sunbaked south.
We will rebuild, reconcile and recover.
And every known nook of our nation and
every corner called our country,
our people diverse and beautiful will emerge,
battered and beautiful.
When day comes we step out of the shade,
aflame and unafraid,
the new dawn blooms as we free it.
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.
