Every year in January, our country pauses to reflect on the life of one man. Dr. King was an inspiration to so many, and his legacy continues to this day. He told the world that he had a dream, but he also sacrificed so much to help make that dream come to pass. I’m afraid that that part of his message has been lost to so many in our current times.
I have seen the poison of laziness first-hand. Students want good grades without doing the required work, parents want well-behaved children without having to do the difficult job of setting limits for them, and many in society just want the rewards of hard work without actually having to do the hard work. Dr. King consistently spoke of a person’s moral obligation to do something. Speak out against hatred, work towards a goal, seek out knowledge. Those who want to blame the government, society, their family, or any other outside influence for their lack of fulfillment must realize that ultimately they are responsible for their lives. The road is not easy, and sometimes it treks through some pretty deep wilderness, but it is there for those who seek it.
As we honor the life of Dr. King today, let us follow his example and work to make our world, our communities, and in the end – ourselves the absolute best.
“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
Words from the Long Run 