What Martin Luther King Jr Can Teach You About You

Perhaps the most well-known decentralization activist, Martin Luther King Jr. would be celebrating his 86th birthday today. A passionate abolitionist for Civil Rights, he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for combating racial inequality through nonviolent resistance. He believed everyone should be equal, and persevered and fought for equality.

During the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963, King's prolific speech, "I Have a Dream" called for an end to racism in the United States and for civil and economic rights. Delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC to over 250,000 civil rights supporters, the speech was a defining moment of the civil rights movement and the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of America.

If you are unfamiliar with the speech I urge you to read it or watch the video footage, it is very powerful. You can read the full speech is HERE

The video taken during the march:

Martin Luther King was assassinated on April 4, 1968. He was in Memphis, Tennessee to support a sanitation workers strike. The victim of a racist's sniper bullet, he was 39 years old.

King believed in equality for all. He not only fought for racial equality but also for gender and income equality. Dr. King said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?" When times are tough, as they were when he was fighting for change, it can be difficult to focus on anyone but ourselves. In our increasingly interconnected and stressful world, this is needed now more than ever. There will always be someone with more stress and burden, and focusing on others not only helps them and the community as a whole, it will give you a different perspective on your own situation.

Dr. King was hesitant to begin fighting for change. A Baptist Minister, he simply wanted peace and equality. But change is inevitable, the only thing uncertain about change is the type of change that will result. He realized this and ended up leading the most effective and memorable platform for social change in history.

Be open to learning from others. There come points in our careers or lives where we believe there is nothing more to learn about a matter. But it is important to realize inspiration can come from some pretty unexpected places, but if you are not open you will completely miss the lane and drive right on by. Learn from those who have been there before, and do not forget other cultures- people who were not raised in your society think differently and can offer profound perspectives and solutions that you wouldn't think of.

And remember to question everything. Ask why. And even more importantly ask why not? If you are told it's impossible, start questioning! It might be something as silly as "that's how it's always been done" or it may be purely selfish- there are those who do not want you to succeed because they gave up on their dreams long ago.

Follow your dream, no matter what. If you are passionate about your dream and the path you choose is paved with honesty, integrity and consideration for others, then do not let anyone block your path. There will be opposition from "friends" or family, and it may even come from preconceived notions from your very self. The greater your dream the more rejection and obstacles you will be forced to overcome. There will be haters and critics. Remember: this is your life. The only one you know for sure you will have. If you know you are doing the right things, know that you should keep going with your shoulders back and your head held proud.

Images via Creative Commons and Pixabay

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