By Mayor George Flaggs Jr.

As we approach celebrations and remembrances to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday on Monday, Jan. 15, observances will be held all over the United States.

He has been memorialized in statues, parks, streets, churches and other public facilities and exhibitions around the world! Dr. King’s life is one of the most prolific and studied lives ever.

We all think that we know what Dr. King’s dream was and how it should be realized. Countless commentaries, speeches and editorial opinions will be written during the month of January referencing his quotes and ideologies.

Dr. King was a Baptist minister and civil rights activist who sought equality for all people, regardless of ethnicity and gender, but especially for African Americans.

His legacy should not be defined by parades, programs and speeches or crime and joblessness. Dr. King’s legacy encompasses so much more. 

Dr. King was not an “ideal dreamer,” but a man of action who sacrificed his life for the advancement of civil rights for African Americans. Dr. King participated in nonviolent demonstrations, protests and grassroots organizing to achieve the aforementioned goal — racial equality! 

Sometimes we forget that before there was a national holiday, a parade or a program, Dr. King, the drum major for justice, was WORKING to eradicate the injustices of America.

When he was assassinated, Dr. King was in Memphis supporting sanitation workers who were on strike and seeking better wages, job safety and union recognition. His life is clearly defined by his works!

Whether you decide to attend a parade, program or visit the new Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, remember that Dr. King used the power of words and acts of nonviolent resistance to progressively impact humankind.

On Monday, let us not only remember, celebrate and act, but serve — we all can do that.

If Dr. King were alive today, we would find him serving to ensure that all citizens are treated fairly and impartially.

Dr. Martin Luther King left on record what he wanted people to remember about him. Rather than his education and accolades, he wanted us talk about how he fought peacefully for justice:

“I’d like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to give his life serving others. I’d like for somebody to say that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to love somebody.  I want you to say that day that I tried to be right on the war question. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked. I want you to say on that day that I did try in my life to visit those who were in prison.

“And I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity. Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major. Say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter.”

And where have we heard this before (Matthew 25:35-40)?

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,  I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me…Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

To perpetuate Dr. King’s legacy, we must serve as he served!

“I am who I am; I am what I am; and I am who and what I am wherever I am.”

Mayor George Flaggs Jr. is mayor of the city of Vicksburg.