John,

Today, we remember the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We honor his lifetime of activism and remember his fight for racial equality, for progress, and for justice.

And today, we’ll watch as politicians across the country inevitably quote Dr. King. We’ll watch them pick and choose the most harmless, whitewashed words from his lifetime of activism, and use them to justify their own political views.

But, to most of them, Dr. King’s words are just that: words without meaning, without weight, and without obligation. And tomorrow, they’ll go back to promoting racist policies, worsening deep injustices in our country, or ignoring the needs of marginalized communities.

That’s why, for me, it isn’t enough to use this day to make sweeping statements about Dr. King’s legacy, about his life and his mission.

Today, we must also remember the specific injustices that continue to plague our communities — the racism inherent in our justice system, the widespread suppression of our voices and our votes, the disproportionate impact of climate change on Black and Brown communities, and the systemic refusal to value Black lives.

We must remember that the fight for progress is far from over, and that true progress will take courage, time, and leadership from those with the power to make change — leadership that, to this day, our country sorely lacks.

And, finally, we must recommit ourselves to real action — to combating injustice in all its forms and building a country that truly lives up to Dr. King’s dream.

With thanks,

Imani