In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

“I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

As everyone soon lies down to rest, let us keep in our memory Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., both an inspirational, and pivotal figure in both the Civil Rights Movement and the economic justice movement in the 1960′s. It is four days short of 26 years since President Reagan had signed into legislation that Martin Luther King Jr. Day officially becomes a federal holiday. In 1963, Dr. King had given his memorable “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington, which had later served as a template for other civil rights advocacy groups to base their ideals.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“Law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice and when they fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress….One who breaks an unjust law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law.” – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

It was by using the methods and teachings of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi that MLK Jr. had developed his well-known non-violent and sometimes silent form of protest, as seen in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Albany Movement, Alabama Movement, and later the famous March on Washington.

In the 13 grueling years that he had dedicated wholeheartedly to the Civil Rights Movement, at the age of 39 he was assassinated. It is in his memory that this day, the third Monday of January each year, that all governmental buildings and institutes, as well as educational buildings, close in his honor so that we can recognize this day.

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.

Considering what his overall message meant, including desegregation and breaking the chains of discrimination and hatred towards our fellow mankind, Chi Upsilon Sigma, National Latin Sorority, Inc., since its founding in 1980, has made the “I Have A Dream” Foundation its national philanthropy in hopes that all children will have the equal opportunity to attend, and achieve, a higher education.

Cherishing the lives we have, and celebrating the holiday in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: reverend, political activist/advocate, opportunist, idealist, son, husband, father.

Have a wonderful day.

Alpha Zeta Chapter,
Chi Upsilon Sigma, National Latin Sorority, Inc.

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