There’s an old gospel song that I like to sing that sums up Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The chorus goes:
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
Because Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. LIVED, we can face tomorrow. .. all fear is gone … and life is so much better for our city, our country, and our world because he lived.
It’s hard to believe that just over 40 years ago, I wouldn’t be able go to an integrated school, live in an integrated neighborhood, own a home, shop where I want and represent such a diverse city. Because he lived, I don’t take a single day or civil right for granted …. and neither should you.
2012 is a year of challenges, not only for me as I run for Treasurer of the City of St. Louis, but for all of us. We are experiencing unprecedented attacks on women’s rights, workers rights and the right to vote.
Dr. King and others in the Civil Rights Movement bled and died so that we could enjoy the freedoms we do today. And I personally think Dr. King would be disappointed with how we take civil rights for granted … like the right to vote.
Therefore, I’m challenging you to do two things to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
First, find out who your local elected officials are.
Second, call your friends and family and make sure they are registered to vote.
Why? Because elections nine miles away are more important than elections 900 miles away.
