By Dr. Patricia Adelekan of Youth-on-the-Move, Inc. and the International Educators’ Hall of Fame in Anaheim
At this time of year, I can not help but reflect on the influence of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a personal respected and positive mentor and role model to me as a youth. Even before he would arrive in my hometown of Columbus, Ohio at Mount Olivet Baptist Church, he would ask, “Where are the youth?”
He wanted to talk to us. I was one of those youths who would meet with, not only him, but also with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee students and other Civil Rights leaders–Roy Wilkins, Harold Strickland, Andy Young, Thurgood Marshall, Adam Clayton Powell, Benjamin Mays–to mention a few—who were often with him.
What I remember most is his quiet, warm mannerism, his wise and careful advice, his caring and concern, and the counseling he gave us: “We must be nonviolent, but speak up,” “We must attack the problem, not the person,” “We need your help to make this world a ‘Beloved Community,’” “We must ‘March on Washington’ to have our concerns heard and dealt with on a large scale.”
Yes, I can see and hear him now, and feel his concern. And, I volunteered to be one of his aides. I feel today the world could use 1,000 Dr. Martin Luther Kings. We need to reconcile differences, be tolerant, and truly love one another, and build a “Beloved Community,” with no homelessness, no wars, no poverty; less suffering, killing, hatred–but with equality, compassion and kindness; more love and forgiveness; and more understanding and tolerance.
Can I emulate Dr. Martin Luther King? Can you? We can only try. We need to make a positive difference wherever we are in the world now. If we do not, we shall regret it. Let’s take action today and start making a difference.
Dr. Patricia Adelekan
Aide to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Organizer; Attendee, March on Washington,
Founder, Youth-on-the-Move, Inc.
Founder, International Educators’ Hall of Fame
Anaheim, CA
714-628-9844
