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John,
Much ink has been spilled attempting to make profound statements on Dr. King’s legacy, and I want to be careful not to shoehorn a personal or political agenda on it here.
Instead, I wanted to express one way in which MLK's words and thoughts and feelings still resonate today—and how even for a young white man from rural Appalachia, like me, there is inspiration to be found from Dr. King’s philosophy of peace and empathy in the face of conflict and struggle.
"Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plain of dignity and discipline.” — Martin Luther King, Jr., “I Have a Dream,” Aug. 28, 1963
It is too easy in politics to stereotype, ignore, and belittle each other. Even in this historically polarized time, I know that there is hope in the long-term project of bringing more folks together around what unites us rather than what divides us.
Bitterness and hatred are easy; to hate requires only to give up on seeing others as we wish to be seen. Empathy and understanding require work, and therefore discipline.
In Dr. King’s memory, I seek to conduct myself in this campaign, and in my life generally, with dignity and discipline, working to do my best to satisfy our “thirst for freedom” with love and never hatred.
Though we may fall short, these are the ideals toward which I believe we can and must strive as Americans and as people, repairing our union and our humanity for a better future.
I hope you have a restful and reflective Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Sincerely,
-Jerrad
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