This week commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the 1963 Civil Rights March on Washington where Martin Luther King Jr, delivered his riveting and history changing “I Have A Dream” speech. The anniversary will be remembered with a reenactment of the March on Saturday and a series of other events, including remarks by President Obama on August 28, the actual anniversary date.
This historic milestone made me think about who the modern day Martin Luther King, Jr’s might be? Who are the Nelson Mandela’s, the Gandhi’s, Chavez’s, or Gloria Steinem’s….those who are the voice of equality and justice, willing to risk their very lives for freedom and justice.
I asked a handful of my diversity and inclusion colleagues, friends, family and associates who they would name. The most common response was… “That’s a good question. I am not sure I can think of anybody.”
Some offered “thought leader” names and Dr. Price Cobbs, psychiatrist and author of several books including the 60’s seminal piece, Black Rage, cautioned us to “separate contemporary thought leaders from individuals who changed the arc of history.”
Two responses struck me as particularly compelling and I offer them here:
Response 1:
Your question really made me think. I’m not sure there is a modern day version of Dr. MLK, Jr. It seems like they were of a different era. They were what was needed for that time. We are in a generation of social media where we are bombarded with images of injustices seconds after they happen. While some grow numb to these images, there are others that use their positions of influence and power, whether political, monetary, financial, or celebrity status, to enact change. It’s such an odd time, where every moment in a person’s life is photographed and published instantly for the world to critique. It makes me wonder how those from the past would hold up under such scrutiny.
Some voices I see advocating for human rights are:
- Pope Francis (Connection with the poor and openness with Gay community, still needs some work on women in leadership! There have been other priests who’ve gone against “traditional” teaching and they’ve been excommunicated from the Catholic church.)
- Barack & Michelle Obama
- Hillary & Bill Clinton
- Bill Gates
- Prince William & Harry
- Zoe Dunning (first female in the military to challenge “Don’t ask don’t tell” and win)
Entertainers like Oprah and John Quinones put out quality and thought provoking programming that challenge people learn about the cultures of others and our impact in the world. Some comedians seem to take diversity issues head on, like Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.
When I talk to my nieces and nephews, they mention people like Lady Gaga who send messages like “Born this Way” to empower people and increase self-esteem. Also George Clooney for his human rights activism against genocide and crimes against humanity in Sudan. Also celebrities who are boycotting Florida after the Zimmerman trial like Stevie Wonder, Madonna, Rod Stewart and others.
I also feel the need to acknowledge a few organizations:
- Human Rights Campaign (Has been very effective in enacting change for the LGBT community in both government policy and within organizations.)
- GLSEN
I also think there have been martyrs along the way (Rodney King, Matthew Sheppard, Trayvon Martin, the many women in the military who are raped by those in our own ranks and continue to protect our country).
I wonder if it is enough that we had the original Dr. MLK Jr. and Gandhi. Could it be similar to followers of Jesus, where the powerful words and actions will live on to inspire others forever? Or are we just waiting for the tipping point where someone will stand above the others and be ready to sacrifice everything?
It’s encouraging that the work of a few brave individuals who stood up as conscientious objectors 50 years ago in our history has grown to many powerful voices crying out against injustices. We’ve come a long way, but still have a very long road ahead.
Response 2:
Thanks for your provocative question. My first reaction was that no one on the international scene reaches the stature of the persons listed in your message. On reflection, I realize that all of these individuals were forged in a crucible of self-sacrifice, family sacrifice, pain, struggle and often rejection. None came to us fully formed and their true worth was only appreciated after their actions had transformed the world that they occupied.
So I do have a person to recommend. I believe that there is one among us who may someday be seen as a transformative force–Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girl shot by the Taliban, who survived that attack and continues to believe that women must be educated and has told the UN that books and pens scare extremists.
If women across the world achieve their full potential through education, the world will be a very different place.
Who would you name? We invite you to join the conversation. Share your comments below.
Image credit: AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Malala!
Mary-Frances, what a great question. An individual that I have great admiration for and who models the ideals of Dr. King is Reverend C.T. Vivian. Dr. Vivian will be receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom later this month from our President. Unfortunately, I can not thing of anyone else. And if there is a time for another King, the time is surely now. It is critical that Dr. King’s teachings and messages get passed along to the next generation or they get washed away with time. Are his messages being taught in this time (and myth) of “post racial” America? I say not. Prophets only come along every so often. We need another prophet…and soon!