So as we think about about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today here are some of my suggestions and reflections on his life, impact and how you can help the cause he gave his life for many years ago.
LEARN
Learning about social justice is a good place to start. Dr. King learned, he learned lessons because of his background, his religion, his education. He learned because he listened, to those who came before him, to those who disagreed with him, and to youth whose innocence teaches. I think on MLK Day we should all use this time to learn, to learn about his life, how he made an impact, but also then about what he is happening today. The fight for civil rights is not over, it has evolved, things have improved, but we have a long way to go. My family spent time watching an MLK documentary, we read some of our books about civil rights, so if you don't have books in your house for all ages... order some now, and keep the around to learn about it and teach your children.
SPEAK UP
Believing in something isn't enough... we must share what we think, what we believe. We must share with others why these things matter to us, we must tell people why their views hurt, why what they think is not just an opinion, but that it's wrong. You don't have to fight over it, but you have to speak up, and can't just leave it be. You might not change a mind, but be clear you disagree.
ACT. JUST ACT
Thinking the world should be better won't make it so. Telling people what you believe is a start, but things don't move unless you push on them, unless you pull them, unless you pry a little, until you crack it open. It might hurt, it might be rewarding, it might feel futile, it might be everything you fear... but if it is the right thing to do, then we need to start, not tomorrow, today.
So what are some things you can do:
Learn - read about social justice, learn about restorative justice, either in books, online or others. Ask people questions, listen, try to reframe your perspective.
Spend - where do you spend your money? Where do you donate? Find Black owned businesses near you, shop a Mexican grocery store, go to an immigrant restaurant... your dollars make a difference.
Act - volunteer at places that are making a difference. Take your family, your kids, recruit co-workers... that is a way of speaking up, telling others at work you are volunteering at La Casa, the MLK Center, or something near you make a difference.
STOP JUDGING
Last thing... I am not perfect, far from it. I try though, I learn, I listen, I act, and I make corrections, I can and will do better. Let's give each other some grace, let's support each other, let's stop judging others. Judging won't change minds, and putting others down won't win this fight. We all have dreams, we all have fears, we all worry, we all want a better world, and we won't get there until we work together to make it so.