Governor Patrick addresses youth ambassadors.
I first heard Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speak when I was six or seven years old, in a park on the South Side of Chicago. While I don’t remember what was said that afternoon, I can still feel the sense of hope and optimism that filled the air. Even at that early age, I could sense that I did not belong in some parts of town and that there were paths through life that were not for me. Yet, Dr. King made me feel not only that I was welcome at the table of brotherhood but that the feast was as much mine as anyone else’s.
A sense of idealism has always been at the core of our national character, yet too often we discredit visionaries and favor cynicism over hope. Dr. King was the consummate idealist who made us believe that we each have a stake in our community and our country. He spoke often of the beloved community, a society where we would live together in the spirit of brotherhood. His persistent belief in this vision guided his life’s work.
Dr. King showed that one individual, inspired by relentless idealism, can be a powerful force for change in society. Through his work he demonstrated what true public service can accomplish. “Everyone can be great, because anybody can serve,” he once remarked.
Indeed, we best honor the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. when we rededicate ourselves to his cause and work in the service of our communities. Each year, thousands of Americans volunteer during the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, and many more live out his legacy on a daily basis, offering through their deeds an answer to what Dr. King called “Life’s most persistent and urgent question: What are you doing for others?”
This weekend, Massachusetts launched Project 351, a non-profit organization that brings together young people across our state whose commitment to service truly exemplifies the legacy of Dr. King. Youth Ambassadors from each of our 351 cities and towns gathered on Saturday, January 14th for a day of service at sites across Boston and they shared their experiences in their own communities with one another. Ambassadors were chosen based on their strong ethic of civic engagement and generosity of spirit. The goal of the day was simple: unite, act, and lead. By bringing them together, we hope to encourage and support their continued work of service in their communities.
The students I have met through Project 351 are truly inspiring. Though they are only 13 or 14, they have achieved significant accomplishments through their dedication to service. Jia Xin Wang of Quincy embodies Dr. King’s vision to end discrimination and bring people together. She organized an event in which Fitchburg’s Mayor Wong visited the class to talk about race, gender, and stereotypes.
Every action, when performed with enthusiasm and dedication, can truly have an impact on our community. Commitment from students like Ashley Blake, of Pickering Middle School in Lynn, remind me that simply carrying on a legacy and celebrating a person’s life can truly make a difference. After her cousin committed suicide in 2011, Ashley created Hayley’s Hope, dedicated to suicide prevention and awareness to honor the memory of her cousin by helping others.
Though the cause of social justice is fraught with challenges, and success is often met with further obstacles, this is the sort of selfless commitment to service that Dr. King believed would bring us together and strengthen our communities. As we celebrate Dr. King’s life this weekend, each of us should reflect on how we can best contribute to achieving the vision of the beloved community. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy will continue to inspire generations of Americans to believe in this ideal and to know that they, too, are welcome at the table of brotherhood.
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