Many of us throughout the month of January participated in the federal holiday activities
celebrating Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This day of service provided time to reflect on Dr.
King’s teachings about humanity and recommit to achieving his dream about fairness and
equality. Last night, I attended a National CARES Mentoring Movement dinner that left me
inspired and wanting to do more to continuously bring about Dr. King’s dream. I am feeling
exceptionally motivated by something I heard last night, which is why I am sharing it with you
today.
Rev. Dr. William Barber reminded us that, 50 years ago, Dr. King ended his final sermon with
these words: “Nothing would be more tragic than to stop at this point in Memphis. We’ve got to
see ‘it’ through.”
So, today, I’m asking myself, “What is it?” What is it, my friends, that we must see through?
Considering my own humble starting point in life, here’s what I think is important for us to see
through to the finish line. The “it” factors, from my point of view, are:
Eradicating poverty
Educating ALL of our nation’s children
Ensuring permanence and stability for our youth
Equalizing the practice and playing fields, everywhere
Equipping others with optimism, hope, and an indomitable will
I believe it is indeed tragic that so many people, including children (and others), in the richest
country on earth, continue to go hungry; try to learn in asbestos-laced classrooms; and want a
mom and/or dad and a place to call home. Can anything be more tragic? YES–stopping at this
point.
These tragedies are magnified by the fact that in some of our corporate offices, board rooms,
interview suites, college hallways, hospital waiting rooms, ballot booths, and performing stages
and on our big screens we don’t allow equal access and opportunity to all our brothers and sisters
who make up this wonderfully diverse country we live in. Can anything be more tragic?
YES–stopping at this point.
The good news is that these tragedies are actively being averted because we are NOT stopping.
We are going to see it through. I know so many people who have decided to stop “talking about
it and start being about it.” They’ve decided that those of us who have been blessed beyond
anything we deserve will help those who suffer tremendously through no fault of their own.
The great news is that we get to address the “it” and change things for the better. We get to be
homeland security and take the future of our communities into our own hands. We get to shape
the next 50 years.
As I ponder on the upcoming (April 4, 2018) 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination, I’m
excited about the impact we will have on seeing “it” through. I plan on being with you at least 44
more years (living to 102 because cancer at the age of 51 was my midlife crisis). My next 44
years will be spent with many people to make good things happen.
What will YOU do to influence and shape the next 50 years? What “it” factors will YOU see
through to victory? I now have time to take on a few more. Together, let’s see it through!