The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
As we are all adjusting to this new year, I’ve been thinking a lot about the current state of our world, and the struggles that continue to affect so many people. Whether it’s the collective fallout of Covid and it’s impact on our daily lives - from health and financial concerns, to shipping delays or travel woes, the list goes on and on. But beyond these hardships, what stands out above all else is the certainty that we are more connected and truly dependent on one another in these times.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. recognized the connected nature of our very humanity, and wrote about this notion in his many essays and speeches. His vision of a “Beloved Community” was based on the premise that no one is truly free unless we are all free. In his writings, economic and social justice are the twin pillars supporting the Beloved Community, and are necessary for a healthy society to thrive.
This month around the world, but especially here in the U.S., and at David Edwards Clothier (DEC), we are excited to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King and commemorate his birthday. His teachings of peace, justice and liberty for all have never been more timely or more needed. During his lifetime, Dr. King carried himself with a sartorial elegance and the confidence of a man motivated by a divine truth. His words are our inspiration.
“The end is reconciliation; the end is redemption; the end is the creation of the Beloved Community. It is this type of spirit and this type of love that can transform opponents into friends. It is this type of understanding goodwill that will transform the deep gloom of the old age into the exuberant gladness of the new age. It is this love which will bring about miracles in the hearts of men."
It’s our hope-here at DEC, that we may all come to know this kind of love and freedom, and then go out and share it with others.