What MLK Day Means to Me

On this day, we remember and honor the man that came to symbolize the civil rights movement of the 50's and 60's, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Everyone has their own experience that they may relate to his life and legacy, but I found myself reflecting on it more this year than in the past, and really wanted to understand why. It took some time, but I think I finally got to the reason.

Understandably, MLK's words will always be tied to his impact on making the African American experience something better...something equal. 

I had the fortune of being born and living my life under the umbrella of freedom that he helped envision, champion, and ultimately create.

Martin Luther King, Jr. photographed by Marion S. Trikosko, 1964. Source: Library of Congress

I sometimes wonder how different my experience would have been if I'd been born 20 years earlier. 

And, I can assure you, I don't truly want to know. 

I've had an amazing life with a plethora of opportunity that I most assuredly would not have had without him at the helm of racial equality. At the same time, not having lived in nearly as trying a time as the early to mid 20th century, I felt disconnected from his work. It was right there, but I wasn't close to it. Many of you may feel that way as well.

As I thought about this, I was reading some of his speeches, and stumbled upon a quote that connected with me in a whole new way:

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

This feeling of equality that I believe I have, is only mine so long as we work to ensure EVERYONE has that equality. Otherwise, mine is just a fleeting moment... a hiccup...an aberration...an illusion.  

So, on this day, this is my understanding, his impact on me, and all I really wanted to share.

MLK's message is ubiquitous and transcendent. His words, his life and his impact are as urgent today as they were 60 years ago.

If we – as Americans – embrace the the phrase "all humans are created equal" (yes I'm updating that phrase!), then we can reasonably extrapolate that none of us have equality until all of us do.

That's what I choose to remember today: the work isn't done, and it may never be done.  We should revel in the journey, for the journey is right.