By Commissioner Fleming El-Amin.
There is no simple way to summarize how Dr. Martin L. King, Jr’s work has directly affected my life. The last book that he wrote entitled, Where Do We Go From Here, written in 1967, is a good starting point. Dr. King provided a blueprint in that book for us today. He challenged the country and the moral leaders of that time to choose human values as a beacon of hope to maintain a spirit of unity during a time of aggressive divisions in the country.
Today, we are faced with another systemic effort to divide us. We are being challenged with threats to our voting rights, challenged with an educational system that does not demand academic excellence from our children and a widening divide between the poor and the privileged.
In spite of these difficult times, the blueprint offered by Dr. King provides inspiration and courage to my resolve to be the best responsible citizen that I can be. He encouraged us to stay civically engaged, stay committed to providing the best opportunity for our children and to find hope in the ideal principles of a democratic society. My involvement in the political system is motivated by the lessons left to us by Dr. King. My efforts to ensure that our five children were given every academic option to excel was influenced by the work of Dr. King. My determination to be a community servant to advance human values over petty divisions is directly influenced by Dr. King. Where Do We Go From Here, is as relevant today with our current leadership in the White House as it was in 1967.
We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men(and women) are Created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. That among these rights are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These defining principles gave Dr. King hope in a very difficult time and they give us hope today to face with courage our challenges today.