Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In my mind, the quote above gets to the essence of what the Civil Rights Movement was about and it provides a lesson that is as relevant today as it was during Dr. King’s lifetime.
Martin Luther King Day is celebrated in the United States for many reasons - to recognize the impact of one preacher’s life on the history of our country, to acknowledge the great achievement of all those who fought for civil rights, to recognize the power of a non-violent social movement grounded in God-given human rights…
One of the fundamental lessons illustrated by the Civil Rights Movement and, specifically, this quote is that it is not enough for each of us to pursue our own achievements, always focusing inward on our own lives and struggles.
Rather, one of the most generous acts that any of us can offer is to build up the people around us - doing our part to create an environment that motivates and encourages others to keep moving forward toward the the fullness of who they “ought to be.”
In our families, among friends, in the workplace (and, yes, even online), each of us has ample opportunity to make an impact in the life of another person and, potentially, future generations.
On this holiday, I remember Dr. King not only for his work in Civil Rights, but also for his example of an extraordinary life. A life that was lived - every day - to lift the gaze of an entire society toward the infinite possibilities that exist in the heart of every human being, regardless of circumstance.
Happy Martin Luther King Day to all of you!
- tdc
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