Five ways to honor Dr. King’s memory
Contact all members of Congress:
- By phone: (202) 224-3121
- By email: democracy.io
- By US mail: Representatives / Senators
- By fax: Representatives / Senators
- By Resistbot: Resist.bot
Contact White House or other federal agencies:
- VOLUNTEER WITH BLACK-LED ACTIVIST GROUPSBlack Voters Matter’s mission is to increase civic engagement and power-building in predominantly Black communities, and they’ve played crucial roles in numerous elections – most recently in Senator Warnock’s re-election. They’re seeking volunteers. Let’s sign up for their volunteer orientation tomorrow or on January 31st.
- RESTORE THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT
The Voting Rights Act, one of Dr. King’s greatest legacies, remains under attack everywhere we look. Conservative judges continue to find new ways to undermine this crucial protection for our democracy. Let’s contact our members of Congress and tell them that we want them to do anything possible to keep up the pressure to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and fix the damage they’ve done.
- FIGHT FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICEWashington, DC- based Jobs with Justice calls itself “the only nonprofit . . . leading strategic campaigns and shaping the public discourse . . . to build power for working people” through unionization. They urge us to celebrate Martin Luther King. Jr. Day and King’s dream of economic justice by supporting the 340,000 Teamsters at UPS and signing their petition to UPS CEO Carol B. Tome. Among other things, it calls for the end to the two-tier pay system, unfair discipline, excessive forced overtime, and for the recognition of MLK Day and Juneteenth as paid holidays. We should consider celebrating MLK Day by signing here.
- MAKE IT A DAY OF SERVICE
“MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities,” reads the AmeriCorps events webpage. Let’s search for a volunteer opportunity near us and celebrate this unique American holiday in a way that honors the great man’s legacy.
- LET DR. KING SPEAK FOR HIMSELF
As beautiful as his “I Have a Dream” speech is, there was so much more to Dr. King. He left a rich legacy of writings and speeches, and inspired a slew of writings by others, all of which still resonate today. As we take time to reflect on the life, work, vision, and tragic death of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., let’s take a moment to deepen and focus our commitment to the areas where we want to spend our energy bending the arc towards justice. Let’s look at this books and bibliography list from the King Center, and let’s order a book or two from a Black-owned bookshop.
