John, it’s Congresswoman Valerie Foushee –

Today, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. King by continuing his fight for justice, equality, & opportunity for all.

I find myself reflecting on how far our fight for true freedom and equality for African Americans has come – and how far we still have to go.

I grew up during segregation. In North Carolina, we could not eat in the same restaurants as white people. When we went to the grocery store, we were taught not to look directly at a white person. Almost everything was separate, nothing was equal.

I was almost 12 years old when Dr. King was assassinated, and over a year later, I would attend an integrated school for the first time.

I had new books for the first time, as opposed to the worn-out ones we were accustomed to before. But, the integration of Black students into white society was far from equitable.

Following Dr. King’s example of nonviolent resistance, we conducted sit-ins and protests to fight for a Black marshall at graduation, the allowance of Black cheerleaders on the squad, reliable school bus schedules for Black students, and more. The progress was slow, but my peers and I persevered, fighting for what we deserved.

So as we commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. King, I am reminded of what all we have accomplished, while also looking ahead to the progress we will make for future generations.

Instead of conditioning my children to avoid eye contact, I taught them to look people in the eye and greet them with a firm handshake and a smile. The truth is, we have more in common with others than we have differences.

In the words of Dr. King: “The Arc of the Moral Universe is Long, But it Bends Toward Justice.” May those values guide our actions as we work to be good stewards & provide meaningful change in our communities each day.

Thank you,

Valerie Foushee