Look to Dr. King’s principles for inspiration

By AILEEN GUNTHER

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his life fighting for equality and social justice, and this January 18 the country once again honored his legacy and celebrated the life of a leader whose principles continue to resonate today.

His teachings and tireless pursuit of justice energized the civil rights movement of the 1960s and began a new era of tolerance across the country. At a time when African-Americans had to sit at the back of the bus, had to eat in separate restaurants, had to use service elevators and had to attend segregated schools, Dr. King spoke openly and courageously about these injustices, and his words helped change the fabric of our democracy.

As we prepare to recognize Dr. King, it’s important to realize the lasting effects he has had on our great nation, effects that are with us for more than one Monday in January. While some of the larger realizations of Dr. King’s dream emerge—Barack Obama as our first African-American president and David Paterson as our first black governor of New York—there is still much to be done on behalf of all New Yorkers to eradicate the many inconsistencies existing between the hope of equality and the lack of it.

Discrimination, prejudice, ignorance, fear, hatred and violence continue to limit the personal, economic, social and civil liberties and freedoms of New Yorkers throughout the state. Continuing Dr. King’s model, we need to persevere in the face of hardship and remain steadfast in our fight against injustice and for equality. We who serve in the New York Legislature must follow Dr. King’s lead and recommit ourselves to replacing ignorance with understanding, hatred with tolerance, resignation with hope and theoretical equality with actual, applicable equality.

To do that, we must ensure fair wages in the job market, keep the college dream alive for those who seek it, provide affordable health care for families and individuals, increase assistance for our neediest community members, support marriage equality for all New Yorkers and rid our communities of intolerance and violence. Dr. King’s teachings espouse these principles, and his words from over 40 years ago remain as true today as they did then: “Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy.” On this day of commemoration, let us recommit to the work of Dr. King.

I will continue to champion civil rights causes, to realize the dream of Dr. King, so that all New Yorkers are free to realize theirs.

(Aileen Gunther is the New York State Assemblywoman for District 98, which includes Sullivan County.)