by Hakim Bellamy
Today, however, is about us. As I find myself in reflection on this day of service, this day of commemoration of a man who very well could have been the United States of America’s first Black president had he lived…let’s say… 39 more years. 39 years would have made Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 78 years old, the same age Donald J. Trump is today. 39 more years from 1968 would have been 2007. 2007 is one year before we elected President Barack Obama in 2008. Though Dr. King was, evidently, a somewhat unpopular figure in his day, he would have had plenty of time to rehab his public image before the 2006-2007 general election cycle revved up. And to be fair, if we learn nothing else from today’s Inauguration it is crystal clear that one does not have to be kind, or honest, or liked, or compassionate, or even Christian in order to become America’s Commander-in-chief. The only thing one cannot be is a woman, apparently…and historically.
Some have gone as far as to characterize today’s inauguration as a cruel twist of fate and tragedy of timing that acts as a slap in the face to Dr. King, his family and his legacy. I don’t know about that, primarily because Dr. King is not around to ask and I do not have any direct line in to his surviving family. But as far as his legacy goes, I do not see today’s Inauguration as “at odds” with King’s body of work in the least. (In fact, I “do not” see today’s Inauguration at all … I chose to sidestep that sideshow like Michelle Obama 🤣). In fact, if it were a slap in the face it would align right nicely with King’s legacy of turning the other cheek … and channel.
So here’s a handful of fairly simple ways to square your observation of the MLK holiday with the inevitability of today’s happenings in Washington, D.C. Feel free to revisit this list as often as necessary over the next four years.
- Respond rather than react
There is nothing more frustrating than arguing with a bot or a brother-in-law online. Especially as those spaces of digital discourse have been compromised by the profit motives of their owners and creators. (Psssst…they were all front and center at the Inauguration earlier today…so I’m told.) You can’t win against the algorithm nor your “fiscally conservative” brother-in-law in a Facebook thread. Rather than reacting to the clickbait, find a cause that aligns with your values and invest your time, attention and resources there…in response. I promise that the dopamine hit is higher than hitting send on that well researched 750 character “take down” response you put together to “own” the extremist in your midst. 😉 Me? Instead of watching the Inauguration, I was at the Amy Biehl High School MLK Day of Service Kick-off Potluck reading a new poem I wrote about the life and legacy of Dr. King. Way more fun than watching TV! If you are concerned about immigration raids (and you have protected status), find a mutual aid or immigration law organization near you and sign up today.
- Talk to People Who Don’t Think Like You
Preferably in person. What the Democrats gravely miscalculated in the last election cycle is the level of discontent in roughly half of the American electorate. Money spent on media probably would have been better spent on actual in-person meetings, especially in years one and two of the Biden Administration (I know, I know there was a pandemic going on…). Americans across the political spectrum have varying assessments of how well America is or is not doing at any given time and which problems are most urgent and need sorting first. Simply saying, “But you’re doing better than you were before, according to the data” is not the best way to feel heard by those empowered to make decisions on your behalf. In 2017, many of us acted surprised when roughly half the country thought Donald Trump represented the values and interests of America. Winning the electoral college and the popular vote in 2021 did not make that discontent magically go away … as we found on January 6th. The question you routinely hear during campaigns is “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” On that question we can always disagree. But when asked, “Aren’t we made better, smarter, stronger for engaging ideas and people that are different from us?” The answer is usually yes, save when your personal health (physical, mental or otherwise) and safety are compromised.
- Vote Local
No, elections are not the end-all be-all of democracy. But Dr. King thought it was pretty important. Important enough to go to jail numerous times for it. Between now and the 2028 Presidential Election you will have somewhere between seven to fifty ‘leven times to exercise your right to vote: city counselors, county commissioners, school board members, mayors, state legislators, judges, and governor. Sure, back in King’s time it was the governors and small town mayors that were weaponizing the police and sheriff’s departments to harass King and his allies. They needed the federal government as a partner to make history. Nowadays, “state’ rights” means something else. Some of the things that you care about and might have concerns about over the next four years are subject to powers exclusively granted to the states and not the federal government. And many of those state and local officials elected in the next four years will still be making decisions on the things important to you long after President No. 47 becomes President No. 48.
Oh, and if you are wondering (like me), the Columbus Dispatch says that this is the fourth time that an inauguration has happened on MLK day since it was established as a federal holiday by Ronald Reagan in 1983. The first was when Ronald Reagan himself was sworn in for his second term on January 20th, 1985. Bill Clinton was inaugurated for his second term on January 20th, 1997. And in a much more colorful twist of fate, Barack Obama was inaugurated to his second term on Monday, January 21, 2013.
About Hakim Bellamy
Hakim Bellamy is the author of Community Publishing’s second book, Samuel’s Story. This multimedia children’s book featured the illustrations of muralist Melvin Mayes and the music of Music Producer Roscoe DJ Flo Fader. Find Samuel’s Story here.
Mr. Bellamy is also the Inaugural Poet Laureate of Albuquerque, New Mexico (2012-2014). Citizen Artist Fellow @ The Kennedy Center. W. K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network Fellow. Tiaso Artist Co-op Board of Directors & Founding Member. Founder & CEO of Beyond Poetry LLC https://hakimbellamy.com/
