“Injustice anywhere is a threat
to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality,
tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all
indirectly…Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an
outsider anywhere within its bounds.” – Martin Luther King. Jr.
In April of 1963, while sitting in the Birmingham city jail.
King took a few minutes to respond to his critics, clergy who resented his
status as an “outsider” and called the demonstrations he led in that city
“unwise and untimely.” In his famous Letter from Birmingham Jail, King gently
but sternly reminds his detractors, however, that they have been sidetracked.
In their concern over policies and methods, in their efforts to avoid
repercussion, they had become more concerned about the consequences of the demonstrations
(non-violent thought they were) than the racist and unjust circumstances that
brought them about.
King never lost sight of the big picture, nor wavered from
his commitment to every particular goal. The future he dreamt was not a
color-blind world, but one that acknowledged our differences and welcomed, even
demanded the contributions from all members of society. In his famous “I have a
dream” speech, King evokes the Biblical prophets, those interpreters of the Divine
vision, by summoning a simple yet powerful image. “One day,” he thunders, “right there in Alabama little
black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys
and white girls as sisters and brothers.” In that single sentence, he conjures
a world not merely of tolerance but of universal love.
What sets King apart as a memorable leader is not simply his
brilliance, his gift for oration, his compassion or his integrity and strength
of character, but a remarkable double-edged ability to fix upon a grand vision
while accomplishing specific tasks. It is his vision, in fact, that provides
the context for his actions and gives them meaning. Yes, there is meaning enough
in what he accomplished: in 1955 he orchestrated the Montgomery Bus Boycott
ignited by Rosa Park’s defiance, which finally forced the transit authority to
change its policy; he led the August 1963 march on Washington, which led to the
Civil rights act of 1964; and his March on Selma the next year led to the
Voting Rights Act of 1965. Still, for King, these were only steps along a path
with a greater purpose. God, for King, was Truth and Right incarnate Who had
come in the form of a man to provide us an example, and the only example
required on which to build a foundation.
Born January 15,
1929, King was assassinated April 4, 1968 at the age of 39 in Memphis,
Tennessee. There was much controversy over turning his birthday into a national
holiday (now celebrated on the third Monday of January). Originally proposed by
U.S. Representative John Conyers (D-Michigan) and U.S. Senator Edward Brooke (R-Massachusetts)
in 1979, opponents who believed another paid federal holiday was too expensive
voted it down. In 1980 the King Center turned to the public, collecting six
million signatures on a petition to Congress, but Senators Jesse Helms and John
Porter East (both R-North Carolina) still fought aginst the holiday,
questioning whether King were important enough to be so honored; Helms even
suggested in a filibuster that King was a communist. In 1983, however
Representative Katie Hall of Indiana proposed legislation to create the
holiday, which passed the House of Representatives in a veto-proof margin of
338 to 90. On the strength of that vote, Ronald Reagan, opposed to the holiday
himself on cost concerns, signed it into law in 1983, with the first federal
observance coming three years later.
We, ourselves, do not often consider the importance of Big
Question issues. We do not, as a rule, model our lives on perfect paradigms. We
tend to focus on our daily lives and our personal goals. Abstracts and ideals
operate at best at the background level. King realized, however, that without
the concern for the Absolute, without seeking a world that works for everyone,
without a concern for abstracts like capital-letter concepts like Compassion,
Justice, Love, and Unity, any achievement, no matter how momentous, falls short
of its potential for reaching and changing the most lives, both now and into
the future. As proof that his idealism still lives, citizens across the United
States will celebrate his vision for all people this Martin Luther King, Jr.
Day. Below are a few opportunities to participate.
Alameda
Join the Alameda
Public Works Department for a morning of volunteer service cleaning up
Alameda's shorelines. Efforts will be focused on the Main St. parking lot west
of the ferry terminal and dog park. Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, and
bring your own reusable bucket or bag and work gloves. Volunteers under the age
of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Community service credit is available
upon request. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to participate.
Martin Luther
King Jr. Day of Service - Alameda Shoreline Cleanup
Saturday, Jan.
14, 2017
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Estuary Lot west
of the Linear Dog Park
Main Street at
Navy Way, Alameda
Rachel Campos
(650) 438-8780
rcampos@alumni.haas
Hayward
Join the annual
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration at Chabot College’s Reed L.
Buffington Performing Arts Center. Those in attendance will hear Freddye M.
Davis and Carol Ruth Silver, Sisters in the Struggle.
Martin Luther
King, Jr. Birthday Celebration
Monday, Jan 16
4:30 p.m. – 6
p.m.
Reed L.
Buffington Performing Arts Center
Chabot College
25555 Hesperian
Blvd, Hayward
(510) 723-6976
https://www.chabotcollege.edu/events/celebrating-mlk-guest-speakers/
Free (parking
fees may apply)
Newark
The Afro-American Cultural and Historical Society Inc.
presents the 40th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. commemoration observance.
This year’s theme is “Changing Lives and Transforming Communities through Dr.
King’s Philosophy of Non Violence.” Keynote speaker is Rev. Clarence Johnson
with singing by the Mills Grove Christian Church Choir of Oakland. Participants
include Rev. Garrett Yamada, Honorable Karen Monroe, Superintendent of
Education for Alameda County, Katherine Jordan and Angel Heart of Bethel
Baptist Church of Union City, and many more.
AACHSI Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration
Sunday, Jan. 8
First Presbyterian Church
35450 Newark Blvd, Newark.
Call Jean Ficklin (510)-793-8181 to confirm attendance
Free
Oakland
The East Bay
Park District celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. with a “Day of Service” that
continues Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s vision of solidarity, improving lives,
bridging social barriers and moving our country closer together. People from
all walks of life are encouraged to work mutually in bringing about a better
community.
Volunteers will
help restore Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Grove and MLK, Jr. Damon Marsh by
cleaning and removing invasive plants in order to support and care for wildlife
and their natural habitat. We welcome children to participate, but ask that
those under 16 years of age to be accompanied by one chaperone for every 20
kids.
MLK, Jr. Day of
Service
Monday, Jan. 16
8:30 a.m. – 12
p.m.
MLK, Jr.
Memorial Grove
MLK, Jr. Damon
Marsh
See Website for
registration and directions: http://www.ebparks.org/about/getinvolved/volunteer/mlk-day-of-servic
Kingian
Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation. Come join us for this two-day workshop
which will provide participants an introduction to the philosophy of Kingian
Nonviolence. These trainings are transformational experiences that have helped
thousands of people from around the world understand the depth of the
philosophy of nonviolence, and learn to begin to bring the practices into their
lives and their work. The seminar uses role playing, small group activities,
readings, video presentations, mini-lectures and discussions to explore
principles, strategies and the history of non-violence. Whether working for
social change, trying to deal with the conflicts in your personal life, our
workshops can teach you new skills and perspectives.
Kingian
Nonviolence
Saturday and
Sunday, Jan. 7–8
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
East Point Peace
Academy
111 Fairmount
Ave., Oakland
(510) 500-7853
eastpointpeace.org/event/intro-kingian-nonviolence-oakland-3
Free
San Jose:
The
African-American Community Service Agency presents the 37th Annual Martin
Luther King, Jr. Luncheon at the Holiday Inn San Jose – Silicon Valley. This
year's keynote speaker is Rev. Dereca Blackmon. She has a distinguished history
of leadership and service in local and national organizing efforts on subjects
as diverse as ethnic studies and police accountability. Mistress of Ceremonies
is Mrs. Kari Hall of NBC Bay Area. This year’s Iola Williams Lifetime
Achievement Award will be presented to Mrs. Queen Ann Cannon.
Martin Luther
King Luncheon
Monday, Jan. 16
Vendor displays
open at 10 a.m.
Luncheon at 12
p.m.
Holiday Inn San
Jose – Silicon Valley
1350 N 1st St,
San Jose
(408) 292-3157
www.sjaacsa.org/mlkluncheon
$75 general
admission
$45
students/youth (17 and under)
San Leandro
Every year, the City of San Leandro honors the legacy of Dr.
King by hosting an oratorical contest and poetry slam featuring San Leandro
High School students. Students enrolled between the 3rd and 12th grades will
perform original or well-known speeches and poems commemorating the birthday of
this great American leader and his lifelong work toward equality and peace.
Don’t miss out on this inspiring and touching event!
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Monday, Jan. 16
10:30 a.m.
Senior Community Center
13909 E 14th St, San Leandro
(510) 577-3462
Free
Union City
The Union City
Library invites parents and kids to come out and hear stories and create craft
projects centered on the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day Stories and Crafts at the Library
Saturday, Jan.
14
1:30 p.m. – 3:30
p.m.
Union City
Library
34007
Alvarado-Niles Rd., Union City
For school-aged
children 5 and up
(510) 745-1464
Free. No
registration required
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