Page 26 - MLK 2022 Booklet

school in Arkansas or on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, whenever Americans have
turned on Americans, it’s our responsibility to confront the ugly roots of this
violence head-on.

Whether he was preaching from the pulpit, writing from a jail cell, or addressing
the crowd gathered in front of the Lincoln Memorial, Dr. King’s words still guide
us. And in this new year, as we navigate through the darkness that can feel, at
January 17, 2022 times, like it’s all around us, I encourage you all to take a moment. Look to your
left, look to your right, and find the people who will sustain you. Who give you
faith. And who give you courage to take the high road, and play the long game.

Greetings Friends! So on this important day, let us recommit ourselves to the work of fostering a new
moral climate. Let us strive towards the dream of the Dreamer: justice in our
It is truly an honor to join you this evening in recognizing the 37th annual “MLK beloved country.

Day of Celebration”, hosted by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission of
Mid Michigan. The Commission continues to selflessly engage us as a Thank you to the MLK Commission of Mid Michigan for your tireless efforts to
community, in understanding Dr. King’s life and the nonviolent struggle for carry out the unfinished work that Dr. King began.
justice.
Sincerely,
I’m delighted to welcome our distinguished guests, members of the Little Rock
Nine; Minnijean Brown Trickey, Dr. Terrence Roberts, Dr. Carlotta LaNier and Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin

our fellow Spartan Ernest Green to our community and Michigan's Eighth
Congressional District.

The theme for tonight’s event comes to us from a telegram that Dr. King sent to
President Eisenhower after federal troops were sent to desegregate Central High
School in Little Rock, Arkansas. It reads: “In the long run, justice finally must
spring from a new moral climate.”

Although these lines were originally written in 1957, Dr. King’s words feel
incredibly relevant to the work that goes on today. However, I can’t help but feel

drawn to the rest of that quote. Dr. King wrote, “justice must spring from a new
moral climate, yet spiritual forces cannot emerge in a situation of mob
violence.” In short, violence stifles the spirit and prevents progress.

Throughout our history, there have been moments where that violence has
prevented progress. It’s frayed the ties that bind us together and taken us further
from our nation’s values. And whether violence is found on the steps of a high

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