Illustration of Martin Luther King Jr.

On Jan. 15, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., would have turned 96.

His last sermon, “The Drum Major Instinct,” was delivered at Ebenezer Baptist Church on February 4, 1968, exactly one month before his assassination. At that moment, King delivered what many called “his own eulogy.”

Towards the end of his sermon, and after saying. “If any of you are around when I have to meet my day,” King continued, saying, “Yes, if you want to say I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. And I was a drum major for righteousness.”

In perhaps a twist of fate, this year’s King federal holiday falls on Jan. 20, the same day that former President Donald J. Trump will resume the presidency.

While it would have been beautifully fitting for Vice President Kamala Harris to have become the first female, Black, and woman of Asian descent to have entered the Oval Office as Commander-in-Chief on the date when all Americans pause and reflect on King’s dream for America, other voters continued to feed into racism, fear and hate that have historically divided the nation.

Now, Trump’s inauguration will remind us that King’s work must continue. Through thought, word, action, and deed, Trump has consistently demonstrated that his vision of “Make America Great Again” dramatically differs from King’s vision of America.

Indeed, King believed in the principles of the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. He was not only a proud Black American but also a proud American. He dedicated his life to confronting America and living up to its full potential as a color-blind society.

As we prepare for Trump’s return, may King’s “Drum Major Instinct” speech inspire us to remain steadfast in the struggle for equality and justice for all.

Each of us can be drum majors to promote justice, peace, and righteousness.

Happy Birthday, Dr. King!

Keywords: Martin Luther King Jr. legacy, Drum Major for Justice, MLK inspiration, Justice and peace, Civil rights leader

#MLKLegacy #JusticeAndPeace #CivilRightsIcon

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