It was on April 4, 1968 that an assassin’s bullet ended the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Fifty years later, we use this sad day in American history to remember his legacy of bravery and leadership which marks him for generations as a champion of positive societal change.
On the day before he died, Dr. King delivered his famous “Promised Land” speech in which he spoke of a sacred place where God would be at the center of people’s hearts, a place rooted in love where all are created equal. But we have not yet reached the Promised Land. Dr. King’s dream, which continues to evolve and grow, has been painful at times over the years. Still, the incredible prophetic voice of Dr. King echoes today, inspiring us to continually work toward building bridges, fostering positive relationships and forging pathways to peace.
Dr. King was first and foremost a man of faith. He believed that the most powerful force in the world was love. Also, he knew that the issue was not about the color of our skin or the country of our origin because we are all created equal by God.
As we remember Dr. King’s life and the half century since his passing, may we prayerfully reflect on his legacy of non-violence, human dignity and racial equality, and take stock of our own personal progress walking together in solidarity and upholding the dignity of all people. Let us take to heart Dr. King’s dream that together we can build a world rooted in unity, peace and hope.