By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.
Our nation needs more compassion. We are in desperate need of caring and kindness. It seems that righteousness and justice are in short supply today.
There are men and women in our history who were clarions and carriers of these characteristics. One such person was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His contributions, in my opinion, will never be duplicated again. This is my opinion.
He cared about people. While he was one of the chief architects of the Civil Rights Movement, he never lost his ability to be with those who didn’t have a title or position. I met Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when I was a student in college.
This period of social justice history was significant as it gave all of us a role to play. Our community in Winston-Salem NC was a community of believers. We admired right and called out wrong. Sit-ins and other acts of non-violence were always happening in our city.
It was because of Dr. King’s mantra of non-violence. He knew and made us believe that right would overrule wrong. Good would triumph over evil. It is fitting and right that America celebrated the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday on Monday, January 19, 2026.
There were church services, parades, and other events held in his honor. We re-committed ourselves to being strong advocates for justice in our communities. Giving of ourselves is what he did. We know that he gave his life on April 4, 1968, in Memphis TN.
I can remember this time quite vividly and like the world, I was in shock. The news reports and interviews were painful and hurtful to watch. This was a defining moment of sadness for our country.
Yet, like it was yesterday, we recall with joy his “I have a dream” speech on August 28, 1963. He said, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
It seems at times that America is in a holding pattern when it comes to equality for all of its citizens. There is happiness for some of us but sadness for way too many of us.
An enduring faith was central in his life. He said, “With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.”
Dr. King always strived to make America better. It is my opinion that we are better. Can we get even better? Yes, we can.
It is my strong belief that it begins with how we treat one another. Wanting what is best for each other should always be a part of our humanity. Dr. King understood this important life tenet and that is how he lived his life.
Love is the prescription of hope that all of us need. Do you remember the R&B group, The Friends of Distinction? They sang a song entitled, “Love can make it easier”. The lyrics are, “love can make it easier if only you give it a chance. Is it really hard to go out of your way for someone and lend a helping hand just to make one life much brighter”.
So, let’s lighten up on meanness and let’s do away with hate. Dr. King said, “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Even a superficial look at history reveals that no social advance rolls in on the wheels of inevitability.
Victories in life aren’t easy. They require boldness and courage. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was the example and the model.
