A Poem Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Dr. King taught us that the strength, conviction and action of one person can change the world. Continue to walk in the footsteps of a King. Never stop fighting for the right to live with honor and dignity, as one human race.”
Walking in the Footsteps of a King
BY JANET AUTHERINE
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a day to remember that a light that shined on behalf of all humanity was momentarily dimmed in the name of hate but love lit a torch in each of our hearts so that we never forget the sacrifices made, and the paths paved with blood and tears and prayers in order for all of us to live peacefully, as equals. A day to remember that because of the sacrifices of Dr. King, we can quietly or loudly chant, let freedom ring - for an immigrant child who only hears the sound of doors closing, for a daughter’s right to take up space and be safe in her own body, for boys of color to be allowed to exist without fear of the consequences of being feared, and grow up to live the dream that Dr. King envisioned, for every human being to proudly and fearlessly live and walk in their truth.
A day to remember that there can be no silence in the face of injustice; that with every resurgence of hate, we can join hearts and hands and harness the power of love to march, legislate, show kindness, open our hearts to the truth that differences are not deficiencies, and create a bigger table that welcomes all our brothers and sisters.
Dr. King taught us that the strength, conviction and action of one person can change the world. Continue to walk in the footsteps of a King. Never stop fighting for the right to live with honor and dignity, as one human race.
“If you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. All of the other shallow things will not matter.”
