The national call for increased civil discourse and respect for selfless service was heard loud and clear Monday at the annual ringing of the Liberty Bell in tribute to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
Hundreds joined the MLK Jr. Commission of the N.C. Human Relations Commission in downtown Raleigh on the Bicentennial Plaza to “let freedom ring.” It was gratifying to see so many people, and especially so many youth, gather to raise their voices in unity and hope for a better future.
It was inevitable that participants used the moment to reflect on the growing tensions over civil discourse, the Tuscon shootings and the passing of Ralph Campbell Jr., Raleigh’s beloved civil rights advocate. As Dr. King knew so well, challenging times can pull us apart or bring us together. It was evident in the spirit of those assembled that they actively chose the latter.
It is my prayer, after all of the MLK marches, speeches, singing, breakfasts and photo ops that have taken place, that we not allow all of this positive energy to fade with the weekend’s formal observances, but rather grow into a daily exercise of respect.
An opportunity to do just that will occur from 9-10 p.m. today on OPEN/net. Please join Dr. Dumas Harshaw Jr., Chairman of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission and pastor of First Baptist Church in downtown Raleigh; Dr. Ronald McElrath, Chairman of the N.C. Human Relations Commission and the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission, and me to talk about how you can help to improve the quality of life for North Carolina residents through the promotion of equal rights, mutual understanding and respect among all people.