Every January, we hear Dr. King’s words echo across programs and platforms. Speeches are recited, quotes are shared, and hashtags trend. Yet, too often, the substance of those words, the accountability, the courage, and the systemic change they demand – remains short-lived.
It’s troubling how easily people of ill will get a pass during this season by checking the box, offering surfacelevel gestures, and avoiding the hard questions about their budgets, plans, and year-round actions. Too many choose comfort over conviction. Too many prioritize being “invited in” as one of them rather than showing principled leadership and integrity. And far too many so-called Black leaders and white allies work harder to maintain a class system that protects their status quo than to create sustained and accessible pathways forward for those they claim to serve.
Until light illuminates these dark truths, the revolving door will keep spinning, and it will be business as usual.
Yes, progress has been made, but progress is fragile. It must be protected from reversal, even if doing so means being labeled a troublemaker, angry, and foolish. What if we stopped begging for what we deserve? What if we stopped pleasing those who oppose anything equitable and stopped selling each other out for a pat on the back and a smile? What if we started voting for our collective interests instead of our self-interests? At some point, permanent interests must come before permanent friends.
The narrative that diversity, equity, and inclusion are harmful, that “woke” is weakening society, and that minority business enterprises are bad for business is a bigger
myth than the tooth fairy. That’s why we must persist and not grow weary. We must go beyond the memorized parts of King’s speeches and examine their full context. We must step out of our comfort zones to confront unjust systems that grow stronger with every election, every budget, and with every person who believes they don’t matter.
I decided long ago to go against the grain when wrong is present. I don’t laugh if it’s not funny. I don’t scratch if I don’t itch. And I don’t lower my expectations so others can be comfortable. My conscious doesn’t allow it.
So, will this King season be like the last? Or will you commit to putting the context of his words, the difficulty of those times, and the gravity of today into a consistent theme of accountability, systemic progress, and meaningful action? Because it’s always the right time to do right.
