Dr. Bernice King, the daughter of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, is a woman on a mission to spread her father's message. “It all starts with me” is a phrase Dr. King often uses during this time. As the nation settles into celebrating the federal holiday established in 1983 to remember and reflect on the life of Martin Luther King Jr., Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter says that while much has been accomplished since her father's death, He emphasizes that there is still work to be done. end. In a sit-down interview with Crosswalk Headlines, Dr. King reflected on and memorialized his father, while at the same time wanting to follow in his father's footsteps, look inward, and take a unique direction in order to put his father's message into practice. He appealed to the audience to decide.
KING: To be honest, I used to be upset about that. I will soon be 61 years old. I have lived and seen many things. Very few people have actually studied my father's words. So I've noticed that people sometimes use what they can to support themselves. I have decided not to give their words any more platform. I always tell people that they don't have to defend the truth.
Truth is powerful enough to withstand the test of time.
Crosswalk: Do you have a personal challenge with people who use your father's words out of context?
KING: This year's theme, “It Starts with Me,” suggests that it starts with each of us. In other words, we all need to study, ask critical questions, and dig deep into Dr. King, his teachings, and the movement he led.
Crosswalk: Being the daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr., do you ever discover things you didn't know about him?
King: Always. The people I work with bring me information that I didn't know about him. My father was a prolific writer. He wrote down everything that was available to him. There were times when he was distant. In my late 30s, I decided to dig deeper into his words. I get excited every time I get a chance to hear or read about him. Sometimes I reread his material and realize I missed something the first time around.
Crosswalk: How are you preparing for this time of year?
KING: You know, it's an ongoing process. I mean, it lives with me. As we speak, we're still thinking about 2024 and 2025. This is an ongoing process for me because I see it as a benchmark for us and a way to measure our progress. As leaders and visionaries, we have to think like that, not tunnel vision. Like my father, I have some prophetic talent, so I try to get a feel for it. I pray and meditate a lot. I hate to say it this way, but I find myself putting this topic on hold until I have peace of mind.
Crosswalk: Carrying on his legacy means a lot to you.
KING: My father was sent into this world for a reason, and that's why he continues to resonate in our world. I don't want to be careless with this legacy, but I want to make sure the King Center does its job and challenges people all year round.
Crosswalk: For many people, our culture seems to be going through a lot of trouble. Where do you find hope?
KING: I always have hope because of my relationship with Jesus, who gives me the hope and strength I need. Also, my relationship with God allows me to keep moving forward no matter what is going on around me. As the Bible says, dawn always comes after darkness. This is one of the most powerful verses in the Bible.
Second, I look to all those who came before me. When I say all, I'm talking about any race, ethnicity, religious or political affiliation, gender. We are all descendants of ancestors who went through very difficult and dark times. We are part of that humanity. we are part of them. they are part of us. Our DNA is connected. And if they did it, I'm no better than them. You can overcome this too.
I find strength in knowing that our ancestors were in these places. It may look and sound different, among other challenges, but it challenges us nonetheless. It is a challenge to our humanity. It shakes our sanity. we are part of them. From there I draw strength and hope. I say to myself, wait a minute, Harriet Tubman, my mother, Sojourner Truth, and others went through it and got through it. I draw on their strength. That's why I can say to my dad, “Let's get through this.''
I believe we will overcome this.
Photo by @Getty Images/Derek White/Stringer
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