OPINION: Stop talking about Martin Luther King Jr. and start acting like him

Jan 18, 2021, 4:42 PM | Updated: 6:09 pm

Black American civil rights leader Martin Luther King (1929 - 1968) addresses crowds during the March On Washington at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC, where he gave his 'I Have A Dream' speech. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)

(Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)

BY BOYD MATHESON

KSLNewsRadio

This is an editorial piece. An editorial, like a news article, is based on fact but also shares opinions. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not associated with our newsroom.

Boyd Matheson is host of Inside Sources and opinion editor at the Deseret News.

For Martin Luther King Jr. Day, take some elevated action.

Today, we should be acting, not just talking and listening. We should not talk about Martin Luther King Jr., we should act like him on this day.

If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t run, then walk, if you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.

-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

There was only one Martin Luther King. Look at what he brought about — all the changes that he brought into existence through acting — without violence.

If there is one thing that comes from the legacy of Dr. King, it is the idea that one person can make a difference.

Making sure that that one person is you is really the ultimate test.

But where to start?

Anyone can follow example of Martin Luther King Jr.

Anyone of us can start a conversation that is peaceful and elevated. We can begin a friendship — or mentor a young person, support a small business, reach out to a senior. All of us can do those things.

One person willing to do one thing is how it all begins.

Sure, one person with an idea in their head is in danger of being called crazy.

Two people with the same idea might be foolish, but the pair can’t be called crazy.

Ten people, and they start to act. . . . 100, and people start to take notice. One thousand, and they start to gain results both tangible and real.

10,000 can change the course of a community.

100,000 can change the course of a nation.

Why not 100 million?

This question is left up to each of us: What can one of us do? And then — do it.

Rev. Amos C. Brown, pastor of San Francisco’s Third Baptist Church, was one of King’s last students and he said something that applies to our nation when he said it but especially at this moment now.

“There’s too much division in our nation, too much incivility and disrespect. . . . If we don’t live together as brothers and sisters, as my teacher Martin Luther King so eloquently said, we will all perish as fools. We need each other. We should not turn on each other in these difficult times. We should turn to each other.”

Inside Sources with Boyd Matheson, who is also the opinion editor of the Deseret News, can be heard weekdays from 11:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m. on KSL NewsRadio. Users can find the show on the KSL NewsRadio website and app.