Remembering Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.

Today is Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday. He would be 83 years old.

In honor of his memory the over riding theme is A Call to Service.  A fitting tribute to a leader whose life embodied dedication to serving his fellow man. When you look around your communities the opportunities to serve are endless. No matter who you are or where you live there's always an opportunity to serve because someone is in need of something. Even if its just a visit or a helping hand. A call to serve is within all of our reach. We just have to answer the call and give of our time.

For a list of events near you check out   
http://mlkday.gov/










I attended a Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance Celebration sponsored by the New Jersey MLK Commemorative Commission entitled A Mission Still to Fulfill.    http://nj.gov/state/programs/dos_program_mlk.html
     

The keynote speaker, Baruti Kafele shared three questions that have become mile markers in his journey:

1. Who are you?
2. What are you about? 
3. What recent evidence do you have that substantiates your claim? 

Kafele is an educator, principal of "The Mighty", Newark Tech High School in Newark, New Jersey. Under his leadership Newark Tech, once considered a low performing school, has emerged as one of America's best high schools, according to U.S News and World Report Magazine. So he practices what he preaches and he instills in his students as well as his teachers the importance of looking ahead and pressing on through the struggle. Owning your life's potential and never looking back.  Always looking forward.  Its an empowering message he calls 'attitude transformation'.

Kafele explained how in all the many marches organized and or led by Dr. King, some so perilous that injuries were incurred and lives lost, the marchers never looked back. Dr. King never displayed uncertainty about his direction. Dr. King walked upright with humility, faith and conviction. Determined to succeed even in the face of death.  So in terms of educating our children, Kafele believes we have to aim higher and dig deeper. Kafele urged his young listeners to learn about their history so they can understand that struggle in the face of adversity is nothing new.  

The Struggle continued then. The Struggle continues now.