Racial Injustice Will Not Just Work Itself Out

Written By Guest User

It Is Time To Do What Is Right

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day

It is a day of remembrance of our Nation’s preeminent leader in the Civil Rights Movement who peacefully stood up and advocated for racial justice. We like to think that the work we do at Justice At Last, in collaboration with you - our Community, follows in Martin Luther King Jr.’s footsteps and helps reduce the racial inequities, inequalities and injustices that continue across our Nation.

We ask that you join us in condemning the violence and racial hatred that occurred at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday January 6, 2021 at the incitement of the current Administration.

We ask that you join us and make today, January 18, 2021, a day of peaceful action and not of indifference and silence. Please do not let time go by without doing what is right.

We remain hopeful for real change as the Inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris approaches. We hope you’ll be alongside us taking action and helping to address the wrongs of slavery, the wrongs of segregation, the wrongs of ‘separate but equal’ attitudes, the wrongs of hatred and racism, and the wrongs of human trafficking and exploitation.

Commencement Address for Oberlin College
By Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
June 1965, Oberlin Ohio

“Let nobody give you the impression that the problem of racial injustice will work itself out. Let nobody give you the impression that only time will solve the problem. That is a myth, and it is a myth because time is neutral. It can be used either constructively or destructively. And I'm absolutely convinced that the people of ill will in our nation - the extreme rightists - the forces committed to negative ends - have used time much more effectively than the people of good will. It may well be that we will have to repent in this generation, not merely for the vitriolic works and violent actions of the bad people who bomb a church in Birmingham, Alabama, or shoot down a civil rights worker in Selma, but for the appalling silence and indifference of the good people who sit around and say, "Wait on time." Somewhere we must come to see that human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and the persistent work of dedicated individuals. Without this hard work, time becomes an ally of the primitive forces of social stagnation. So we must help time and realize that the time is always right to do right.”

What Can You Do To Help Stop Racial Injustice?

1.  Attend a Virtual Event with Justice At Last:

  • January 22, 2021: Justice At Last is participating in a panel discussion at the University of San Francisco School of Law 2021 Law Review Symposium, "Panel 2-Healing the Whole Person: 21st Century Remedies." For more information and free registration go here.

  • January 22, 2021: Justice At Last is conducting a training in collaboration with the San Mateo County Private Defender Program and the San Mateo County Bar Association: "Comprehensive Legal Remedies for Youth survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Young Persons Who Are Trafficked." This training is free and open to attorneys and non-attorneys and MCLEs are available. Go here to register.

2.  Participate in the ABA's 21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge:

  • The Justice At Last Board of Directors and our Staff have committed to learning, talking and making changes to ensure we are an organization that is diverse, inclusive and instills equity and belonging with no tolerance for racism by participating in the ABA Syllabus: 21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge.

3.  Read a Book with and Talk to Your Children About Racism and White Privilege:

4.  Commit to Volunteering:   

  • AmeriCorps is Collaborating with the 2021 Presidential Inaugural Committee on this MLK National Day of Service and can help you find a volunteer opportunity by checking out their website.

  • Volunteer for Justice At Last.

Take Action, Be Safe and Healthy And Don't Wait on Time,

Rose Mukhar
Executive Director

Guest User
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