L ess than a year ago we embarked upon not only a new year but a new decade , ripe with optimism and the hope of symbolic clarity and sharpness of vision that 2020 represents . There is a fullness of hope in the new , a reconnection with possibility . Fast forward to September and we are hard pressed to find much cheer , even among the most optimistic of us . After what feels like a long season of discontent , chaos , division , polarization and sorrow I truly believe that we have before us a glorious opportunity to commence an initiation into a new phase for ourselves , our families , our communities - indeed for humanity . Wouldn ’ t it be thrilling that if years from now we were to look back on the two-thousand twenties as the decade that ushered in a new freedom , new responsibility for each other and a new dignity of human behavior ? I challenge you to remember the power that resides with and within each of us , to remember that we can embrace the vision that another world is possible . We can dare to hope again and unleash our passion to be part of the solution - not the problem - creating a world we have the courage to believe in .
I believe that this year has taught us to no longer be indifferent to the suffering of others . Martin Luther King , Jr . talked about the triple evils of racism , poverty and militarism . We can eradicate these evils by a revolution of values , the embracing of peace , justice and equity - a revolution based on love . Every member of the human family is connected with each other so that , in varying degrees , each of us is part of the whole which affects the plight of all . Each of us is called to live so that others are helped rather than harmed by our actions .
This year has taught me that perhaps beauty and chaos sometimes exist together . That resiliency is birthed in times of great unknown and can be found through turning to face distress . Sometimes pain is a portal to healing , for nothing can be healed until it is revealed . 2020 has laid bare the many fault lines and cracks in our society , yet it has also highlighted the beauty within and without . The sense that we are all in this together , the unselfish giving of frontline and essential workers , the beauty of nature , an abundance of family time , peaceful protests and courageous conversations . It has reminded us that we can create a world we have the courage to believe in - The Beloved Community , a society based on justice , equal opportunity and a love of one ’ s fellow human beings - a society in which all are embraced , a society at peace with itself .
ARNDREA KING
President , Drum Major Institute | Wife of Martin Luther King , III drummajorinst . org | mlking3 . com