Monfredo: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This Weekend - Listening To His Words

Sunday, January 17, 2016

John Monfredo, GoLocalWorcester MINDSETTER™

This weekend people across the nation will reflect on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for it was eighty-seven years ago on January 15th that this Civil Rights activist was born. This Monday, Worcester Quinsigmond Community College will host its 31st annual breakfast honoring this great leader at 670 West Boylston Street and the event will begin at 8:00 a.m. The theme of the program is about justice and people caring for one another.

Dr. King was a Baptist minister and social activist who led the Civil Rights Movement in our country from the mid-1950’s until his death. Through his actions, he played a role in ending the legal segregation of African-American citizens in the South and other areas of the nation as well as the creation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

It is often said that one individual cannot make a difference but Dr. King proved that one person can make a difference in this nation. He continues to be remembered as one of the most lauded American leaders. Because he lived, millions of Americans were freed from the chains of segregation and discrimination.

People often talk about his 1963 speech, “I Have A Dream.” Because he dreamed millions of Americans found hope that their own dreams of a better life could be achieved. We know that the light of his dream burns brightly in our hearts for it is a dream that gives us hope and that shows us the way in the hardest of times.

In 2016 we can honor Dr. King in our community by doing acts of kindness and caring for one another. How about we start with social media… Flood the internet with words of kindness such as sending out quotes that send a positive message to the individual. Here are a few for you to consider:

• The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart... Helen Keller

• Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud... Maya Angelou

• Believe you can and you're halfway there...Theodore Roosevelt

• No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted...Aesop

• The words you say mean nothing, the way you say them means everything…Eileen Parra

• The best gift you can give is a hug: One size fits all and nobody ever minds if you return it

Other ideas could include doing a kind deed for a relative or a neighbor, greeting others with a smile and reaching out to social organizations in lending a helping hand.

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “It is midnight in our world, and the darkness is so deep that we can hardly see which way to turn.” In this day of seemingly increasing darkness, we must stand together. We must stand for non-violence, economic opportunities for all, a chance for our children to receive a quality education, caring for others, and World Peace!

As we think about Dr. King this weekend, let’s move forward with a heart full of caring for others!