Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Still Makes a Difference

By Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

(TriceEdneyWire.com) – In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”

Sunday was to be the day of the unveiling of the awesome monument to the work of Dr. King. Yes, we were disappointed about the cancellation of the ceremonial acts, but even without the formal dedication, the monument is one of the greatest tributes to anyone in the history of this nation. Dr. King would be 82 years old now. Thousands have already stood in line to see the monument and I pray that they were touched by it.

The Montgomery Bus Boycott and the rise to national prominence of Dr. King seem to be several lifetimes ago. Being a living witness to the history of that time and since, I see Dr. King’s footprint in every advance in human rights in the United States and in the rest of the world. I also see the inspiration and impact of Dr. King’s well-lived life upon my own.

Although judged by most standards as now living comfortably, my life began in a small, rural Louisiana community. I was one of 9 children reared by a single mother and, initially, schooled in a one room schoolhouse. Needless to say, as many songs have lamented, we didn’t have much, but we had love and a strong sense of family.  

Inspired by Dr. King, I prepared myself to snatch the best that the world has to offer. I would never settle for less because I always believed that God had ordained high achievement in my life. I attended Grambling State University and was blessed to meet and earn the friendship of Coach Eddie Robinson-- himself an inspirational figure of the first order. It’s fair to say that the influences of Dr. King, Coach Rob and my mother, refined my strong work ethic and my sense of responsibility to help and motivate others.

Since my undergraduate degree from Grambling, I have earned a Master’s Degree, a law degree, a PhD, a D.Min.as well as other advanced academic credentials from several prestigious institutions. I have served on the administrative team of a U.S. Congressman. I have run for U.S. Congress in Louisiana, narrowly missing victory after a mysterious computer breakdown.  

I am proud to serve as Chair of the National Congress of Black Women and Board Chair of the Black Leadership Forum. A truly high honor is my recent appointment by President Obama to the Presidential Scholars Commission. I am proud to be able to serve a President who portrays so many of the qualities of Dr. King.

My story is like thousands who were influenced by Dr. King. His positive messages have superseded the messages of hate and discouragement that have tried to counter his good works. His admonition to maintain a standard of character and conduct that captures the moral high-ground is timeless. His encouragement for excellence gives us a goal at which to aim and a reason to accomplish it.

Dr. King is an exemplar among my contemporaries who acknowledge the positive influence of Dr. King in their lives. Emerging leaders in the African American community praise Dr. King for the life lessons he has left.

Dr. King has influenced leaders from all walks of life. He has shown the world the power of a person dedicated to peace and the uplift of humanity. He has shown that with a dedication to betterment of the human condition for all, we are better for it. Thank you Dr. King.

(Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq. is Chair of the National Congress of Black Women. She’s Chair of the Board of the Black Leadership Forum in Washington, DC and a member of the Presidential Scholars Commission. To reach her, call 202/678-6788; e-mail dr.efayew@gmail.com or see website at www.nationalcongressbw.org.)