IN TRIBUTE TO DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

A TEN POINT ACTION PLAN
(by Dr. C. Anthony Hunt)


During his life, Dr. Martin Luther King believed that everyone could be great because everyone could serve. Making a sincere commitment to the King holiday and all it represents, as well as taking some appropriate action to serve the causes of equality, justice, freedom and peace, are ways in which individuals, churches, groups, organizations, institutions and even governments can act to continue Dr. King’s unfinished work, and to perpetuate the pursuit of his vision of the Beloved Community.

Here are ten ways that we can act to honor the dream and legacy of Dr. King in his life and death:

1. Support and develop community-wide plans aimed at expanding economic opportunities for racial-ethnic persons and women specifically in the areas of housing, banking and employment practices.

2. Plan to actively participate in an event that reaches out to those in the most need – the hungry, the homeless and the unemployed.

3. Adopt an inner-city school. Offer your skills where appropriate. Do your part to assure that every inner city young person can look forward to an adequate education.

4. Encourage schools, colleges and universities in your community to include Dr. King’s teachings in their curricula and programs.

5. Take specific actions to deal with the problems of drugs, alcohol dependency, teenage pregnancy, and family violence.

6. Become an advocate - and encourage church, political and community leaders to advocate - for the removal of all weapons from our streets, homes and schools.

7. Support causes that promote freedom, justice and peace abroad. Help extend human rights, dignity, health and economic well-being to all persons.

8. Take a stand, and encourage persons in your church and community to actively oppose those groups that promote hatred and violence. Actively and vigilantly oppose racism, homophobia and other forms of xenophobia in our communities.

9. Sponsor and participate in programs that encourage interracial and intercultural goodwill and unity.

10. Read the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church, and strive to make them an integral part of the faith and life of yourself and your church.