Our father-in-law and grandfather, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.”
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Real communication with one another is key to establishing and sustaining what Dr. King called the Beloved Community that was the core of his dream — a society at peace with itself, that has foundations in justice, nonviolence, and equal opportunity for all.
There is no way to replicate face-to-face communication. Positive and sustained interactions with people of different backgrounds, particularly through activities like volunteering and other forms of civic engagement that bring people together, allow individuals to connect with others who they would not otherwise have had the opportunity to get to know.
To provide a platform for both volunteering and interpersonal connection, The Martin Luther King III Foundation has been spearheading the Realize the Dream (RTD) movement, with an ambitious goal of securing 100 million hours of public service by 2029, the 100th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday. This January 20th young people around the world will engage in public service projects in commemoration of Dr. King’s birthday. We strongly encourage people to seek volunteering opportunities on RTD’s website, www.realizethedream.org.
It is imperative that we guide young people to the platforms and resources they need to reach beyond themselves and establish lasting social bonds. But most of all, we must ensure that young Americans take to heart that real communication isn’t just about talking – it’s about listening.
Arndrea Waters King is president of The Drum Major Institute, which carries on the work and vision of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She is married to Martin Luther King III, and their daughter, Yolanda Renee King, is the granddaughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
