Today, for the first time in many years, San Antonio won’t be the site of the largest Martin Luther King Jr. Day march in the United States. As with marches and parades across the nation, this year’s event was canceled, of course, because of the threat of COVID-19.
That San Antonio, a city with a small African American population, annually hosts such a large march celebrating the birth of a Black man who became the face and voice of an African American-led struggle for African American rights has long been a source of astonishment, though it shouldn’t be.
King’s ministry was one of inclusion as he advocated for the universal ideals of freedom, justice, dignity and humane treatment, ideals enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. The scope of his vision and work transcended race, nationality, religion and any other demarcations.
Why wouldn’t one of the most influential Americans of all time, who is also a world-historical figure, have appeal beyond the narrow constraints of ethnicity? Why wouldn’t his philosophy and strategy of nonviolence resonate with people who want to attack what King called the triple evils — racism, poverty and war — through means that don’t escalate hatred and violence?
There will be no marching for King on this holiday, but the holiday was always about more than a march. More than a celebration of King’s life and legend, the holiday is a call to carry forward his legacy. More than honoring the work King did, the holiday is about finishing his work that was left undone by an assassin’s bullet.
But in 2021, King’s unfinished work includes not only correcting existing injustices and inequities but also stopping and standing up to the violence that claimed his life and now threatens the life of our democracy and the lives of its institutions, citizens and elected representatives.
We won’t march today for Martin Luther King Jr., but we must reflect on his teachings as we think about the best ways to act, and the roads we must take, if we’re to make it to the Promised Land he saw.
The Link LonkJanuary 18, 2021 at 02:00PM
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Editorial: Today is about completing King’s work - San Antonio Express-News
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