Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr

Civil rights activist and Baptist minister Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 and was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Today was the official US holiday honoring King and his legacy, the 35th year we've done so in Colorado.

White Americans are highly selective in how they remember and honor King. Many of us think only of the following, pat ourselves on the back while thinking of the non-white musicians, comedians, athletes, celebrities who entertain us, and consider King's work done.

I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was an anti-racist, anti-capitalist, and anti-militarist, and was aiming beyond today's state of color-blindness for the well off, towards a truly equitable world. One where your family's wealth didn't depend on your skin color. One where workers were fairly compensated for their labor and treated with respect. One where education was prioritized over jets, bombs, drones, and extravagant military adventures. I implore you to read up on this and push back on people who try to whitewash King's legacy.