Bending the Arc: Our Role in Change

I have always found Martin Luther King, Jr.’s prediction, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice” comforting. In the midst of confusion, overwhelm, and frustration with the pace of change, it has given me solace. When I wonder, over and over again, how long it will take to build the world I want to see, and that I want to live in -?a world that takes care of people with respect and dignity - his words reassure me that my advocacy is not in vain, and that there is a vast community working towards this common vision alongside me. That we aren’t alone, and that love wins in the end.

While moments of comfort and reassurance are key for changemakers, to take a breath and appreciate the hard work of making visions real, I’ve come to look at his words as a starting point, followed by activated questions, like “How does this arc bend? Who bends it?” What if we wait to be swept up in the swirl of history, believing in the inevitability of goodness? What is the role of vigilant and consistent effort, to build the future we want? As we’ve been shown how close we are to a very different future, these have become urgent questions for me.

Simply put, if we want a more just world, one in which more vulnerable people are centered and supported to succeed and in which the playing field begins to equalize, we need to grasp the urgency of our own role and responsibility to bend that arc.

In honor of MLK day, we asked our team at JBC to tell us how they honor this important day and compiled their thoughts into the list below. If you’re looking for ways to honor MLK, what he stood for, and do your part in this work, see our team’s commitments below for a few ideas:

Julia Moreno, Client Services Manager: Admittedly, for many years I just utilized the holiday as a day of rest. Two years ago was the first time I thought that my reshares and posts to social media, though well-intended, felt a little more performative than I would have liked. Now I try to break up my responsibility on MLK day into three categories (1) displays, (2) learning, and (3) action/service. I also try to blend them in with things I am already doing. For the first piece, displays, I try to share only color photos of MLK jr. to dissolve the illusion that his life and death were not so distant and his mission is still being carried forward. For learning, I try to read or listen to a perspective I have not yet immersed myself in. Last year I listened to the audiobook of the Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass. It was incredibly painful to hear but also necessary to continue my learning and add more fuel to my passion for justice. This year I will be choosing another book, probably with a more modern perspective. This also jumpstarts me into my learning and actions for Black History Month. Lastly, actions/service, this year I am going to be supporting Black-owned businesses, probably a restaurant.??

Parker White, Senior Associate: I observe by taking the day off and educating myself on U.S. History. In addition to documentaries + podcasts, there are so many articles and video clips that circulate where I am able to hear stories and listen to different perspectives on why MLK is important to so many and how we can continue to push the needle forward.

Wangari Kamau, Senior Consultant: This day, Martin Luther King Day gets me thinking. How can I continue to educate myself? Become a revisionist in a positive way, based on verifiable research and data. To this end, I draw on a book I read, Adam Grant's Think Again, which gets me to question old assumptions and embrace new ideas and perspectives. For example, what was the role of Claudette Colvin before Rosa Parks? Why did it take so long for Tarana Burke to get credit for #metoo? How can I be an ally to groups that are also "othered", what privileges do I have that I can use? I love the Obama Administration example where women amplified each other at meetings to make sure they were heard.

Robert Beaven, COO: What I have learned in history class about Martin Luther King is the bare minimum, with the majority of education around his “I have a dream” speech. While one of the most famous speeches of our time, there is so much more that Martin Luther King has done. On MLK day, I dedicate time to three pieces.

Self. Time to self-educate on what I don’t know about Martin Luther King and the numerous areas that he was focused on within social justice.

Surroundings. Taking time to make sure that my intentions (like posting or commenting) align to the impact.

Systems. Look at ways where I can utilize my privilege to volunteer my time within my community and share my experiences with those that look like me.

Martin Luther King Jr. day is a great time for everyone to reflect on how they are antiracist. My favorite learning was from a woman who said the following on one of our community calls: “When I die, if people look at my calendar and my checkbook, can they tell that I am an antiracist?” That is an action item for all of us, myself included.

Adrienne Lawrence, Senior Consultant: For me, Martin Luther King Jr. day is one of reflection. In addition to remembering the sacrifice Dr. King and many other courageous leaders made, I think about the importance of using our voices to continue to make change and to fight against inequities of all forms.

Katie Livornese, Vice President: On this day, I am reminded of a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. that changed my life: “Our lives begin to end the day we stay silent about the things that matter.” Equality matters, and we all should feel compelled to speak up when we see inequity. We have witnessed so much injustice over the last two years, and staying silent, even if we are uncomfortable, is not an option. On MLK day, I will use my voice and privilege to have hard conversations with those who share my privilege so we can activate the allyship of others, and work towards a more equitable world.

Sophie Bales, Community Manager: I view Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a day of reflection, recognition, and education. A reflection on the struggles and challenges this world continues to face in our fight for social justice and racial equity. A recognition that although we have much work left to do, we can still celebrate and honor all of the successful moments and milestones we have achieved since the Civil Rights Movement, and the decades preceding. And lastly, a day of education where we take a moment to breathe, slow down from our busy lives, and put time and energy towards learning and understanding the past, and the impact it has on the present. It is our responsibility to educate ourselves on these crucial topics and hold conversations with ourselves, our families, our colleagues, and our peers. We must take efforts into our own hands and ask ourselves, "What knowledge do I have? What knowledge am I missing? And what can I do to help address these issues with the knowledge I do have/will have?" Only then will we be able to progress and enact meaningful change.

John Mooney, Director, Business Development: Martin Luther King Jr. has inspired me in many ways throughout my life. The timeless wisdom of his words continues to be just as relevant today and inspires me to be an advocate for a better, more inclusive world. I am looking forward to joining the Nonviolence365? Virtual Training session - Keys to Creating a Culture Shift That Sticks held by the King Center Foundation.?I also love re-watching Martin Luther King Jr deliver his powerful “I Have A Dream Speech” which continues to give me hope and serves as inspiration.

There is so much still left to be done as we seek action and navigate through the systematic racism that continues to be prominent in this country. The tragic murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless other Black Americans are a grim reminder that Dr. King’s dream requires us all to take action.

Naomi Belt, Executive Assistant: Growing up in Houston, my family used to celebrate by going to the annual MLK Grande Parade in downtown Houston. I also remember the local radio station, Magic 102, broadcasting an hours-long program about Dr. King's life & legacy, which included the iconic 'I Have A Dream Speech.' I used to listen to that radio show every year as a kid, but as I grew older my observation dwindled to sharing a few posts across social media. But this year is different. I've been blessed to work for a company that is helping create the world Dr. Martin Luther King spoke about and that has compelled me to go back to my roots. So, this year, in honor of Dr. King, I'm going to listen to the I Have A Dream speech and reflect on how I'll continue to fight for the freedom and equality of all human beings.?

Gia Pendergraph, Events Director: I observe MLK Day by listening to his famous "I Have a Dream" speech and reflecting on how I have evolved; each year I extract a different lesson from it. In addition to listening to his speech, I educate myself on U.S. History by watching videos, reading articles, and talking with older family members who were alive during that time.

Elfi Martinez, Principal Consultant: Honoring the spirit of MLK day, and the great man himself, is an important civic responsibility of every American. Especially now, when the country feels broken and fractured, we can choose to serve our communities:

“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

- (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., speaking before the Ebenezer Baptist Church in 1968.)

We all can, and should, serve the communities we care about. On MLK Day, I’ll be doing that by working on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives with internal advocates at several corporations. If you need inspiration on what to do, I love the suggestions and recommendations at DoSomething.Org.

Ilyssa Padrid-Dykman, Client Services Manager: The phrase that comes to mind when I think about MLK Day is acts of service. The act of giving back to the community as a collective to impact positive change. However, instead of doing an in-person event this year, I plan to donate to social justice causes that are close to my heart: increasing voter registration and providing access to healthcare. Now more than ever, these two causes are important in our work and fight against inequities.

Veronica Pirillo, Senior Director: I celebrate the courage of Martin Luther King Jr.’s public conviction and his commitment to the belief that only peaceful means would bring about the peace being sought. The spirit of that ideal is one I pray we can all find our way back to, and remember in the current climate of division and polarization.

On MLK day this year, we’ll celebrate my son’s twelfth birthday. My pre-teens are positively more confident in their own neurodiversity than I ever was. I'm inspired by them, and their generation, standing strong in their sense of self. I have such respect for MLK’s legacy at the roots of the civil justice movement and also his call out that we are all capable of greatness through service, in using our voice and standing strong for the good of all humans. I think this is the message that I’ll be carrying into the weekend, and into conversations with my children.

What will you do today that will #BendTheArc toward justice for all?

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