April 11, 2018
Page 13
O PINION
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He Created Change for the Good of All America
Dr. King pointed
us to a better way
l oretta s Mith
As a tribute to the life
and legacy of Martin Luther
King Jr. on the 50th anni-
versary of his assassination,
I was pleased to work with
Gov. Kate Brown who pro-
claimed April 4, 2018 to be
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance Day
in Oregon.
On April 4, 1968, the world lost a tower-
ing voice for creating social justice through
non-violence. The 50th anniversary of Dr.
King’s assassination comes as school children
across America cry out for peace and a sense
of security against the chaos of gun violence.
Sadly, it has hard to identify a community in
America that remains unaffected by senseless
violence.
Who would have thought that one week be-
fore the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s assas-
sination that school children would march on
our nation’s capital demanding relief from the
out of control gun violence they experience in
schools, neighborhoods and community gath-
erings.
No doubt Dr. King would grieve deeply if
he were here now.
In 1963 Dr King’s eulogy for the four little
girls whose lives were cut short by a Sunday
morning bombing in a Birmingham, Alabama
by
church revealed how deeply he felt for young
victims touched by violence. He said, “These
children - unoffending, innocent, and beauti-
ful -- were the victims of one of the most vi-
cious and tragic crimes perpetrated against
humanity.
Church violence across America in recent
years has struck a horrifying note as we take
these sacred venues to be off limits to any
acts of violence. Texas, South Carolina and
other states have felt the immediate pain and
disbelief of gun violence in churches.
This American icon implored us to judge
all people on the basis of their character. I
do believe that major strides have been taken
here in Oregon, and across the United States,
in the past 50 years since Dr. King’s death.
His voice reached the masses. In response
states have changed or created public policy
and public practices to make ours a more eq-
uitable and harmonious society. Regardless
of race, color, religion or creed we are a bet-
ter society with greater community tolerance
since Dr. King pointed us to a better way of
Although, at this moment, gun violence is a
central conversation in the life of our nation, it
cannot be denied that Dr. King’s life and legacy has
created change for the good of all of America.
But, it is the ever increasing gun violence
at elementary, middle and high schools that
has captured the conscience of our nation
and brought us to a crossroad. In his final
published book, Dr. King reminded us of the
challenges society will face if it fails to coop-
erate for the mutual benefit of all and refuses
to work against violence.
Although, at this moment, gun violence is a
central conversation in the life of our nation, it
cannot be denied that Dr. King’s life and leg-
acy has created change for the good of all of
America.
communicating with one another, engaging
our differences and embracing our diversity.
There is greater work to do and room for
improving our collective stride for helping
citizens Dr. King advocated for tirelessly. It
is my hope, however, that we will re-double
our efforts to reach even higher ground and
achieve a greater American society like the
one Dr. King dreamed.
Loretta Smith is an elected member of the
Multnomah County Board of Commission-
ers and a candidate for commissioner on the
Portland City Council.
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