Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Courts are closed; school is out—many are enjoying a day off. In my opinion, a ‘day off’ misses the whole point.
Courts should be in session—with justice applied equally, regardless of race, creed, color or national origin. Schools should remain open—with teachers and administrators using this day to teach that all the world’s children are created equal and deserve fair treatment, equal access, and equal justice.
Dr. King would not take his day off. He’d be meeting with communities, organizers, administrators, legislators, even presidents, trying to forge a more perfect union. Perhaps he’d be delivering a version of his I Have a Dream speech, because his dream, almost sixty years old, has yet to become a reality.
Children should be in school, reading or reciting the speech. Teachers should be reminding students that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
If courts and schools must be closed on this day of remembrance, perhaps our citizens should privately reflect on values of liberty, friendship, solidarity, equality, and justice for all our citizens. Perhaps we can heal the divisions in our country by taking to heart these words from Dr. King:
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness—only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate—only love can do that.”
On this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, can we all strive to be better citizens of this great country?
After all, Dr. King is watching.
Mark M. Bello is an attorney and award-winning author of the Zachary Blake Legal Thriller Series, ripped-from-the headlines, realistic fiction that speak truth to power and champion the rights of citizens in our justice system. These novels, dedicated to the social justice movement, are not only enjoyable, they educate, spark discussion and inspire readers to action. For more information, please visit www.markmbello.com. Mark also hosts the Justice Counts podcast with Not Fake News editor & publisher Bob Gatty, presenting bi-weekly interviews focused on social justice.