MLK - Unity for All

Martin Luther King Jr. day is an important American honorarium for people, and can also be an example for good business. For the entire country, this special day epitomizes an important struggle- the fair inclusion of people of color and other marginalized groups.?

American business is indicative of the Civil Rights movement’s struggle. There have been great strides overcoming overt racism in the workplace, just as in society. But, there is still so much more to achieve before discrimination can be called a thing of the past.

Great American Leader

Acknowledging MLK Day is an important reminder of our strengths as a Country, as well as our failures. When race is no longer an issue and our national ethos fully embraces diversity, then the United States will truly be the ‘strongest nation in the world.’?

The world of business can help lead the way. It’s a complex spectrum of people, ideas and beliefs that built this country. The same can be said for most large, successful companies. When you embrace diversity, a spectrum of people create more well-rounded businesses.?

Division Weakens All

It may have been Western Europeans who first settled America, but it took diversity to achieve this. Since our past includes using the strength of those brought here in chains, enslaved to do the hard work, it resulted in a Civil War to stop this.?

Discrimination nearly destroyed the young country, except for the fact that freedom is promised to every person by the U.S. constitution. That means treating everyone fairly, the same, means knowing true worth lies within.

True American Strength

That’s what Dr. King wanted- what was promised by the founding fathers of America- freedom, distributed fairly to everyone. For all men, women and children to be treated as equal human beings, free to pursue their dreams, is the true American strength.?

Relying on the inherent strengths inside all man, instead of what’s seen with arrogant eyes, is where Unity comes from. And with unity, there's strength. The same is true of business and whole industries, especially those which have also been marginalized.

A Promise for All

To be judged by the quality of one’s character instead of skin color, sex or any other differentiator, is truly where greatness lies. Just as a chain relies on the strength of each individual link, so too, does the unity of any group.?

Strong character is what defines successful people, companies as well as a whole country and all its inhabitants. Because, what makes a chain link strong lies on the inside. And it comes down to individuals working together, just as it takes many links to make a useful, strong chain.

Truth, Strength and Weakness

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a great American, willing to encourage unity even in the face of division, is celebrating America’s strengths by acknowledging our weaknesses. There’s nothing shameful about ending weakness.

King was one man, who encouraged all with conviction that he was not only doing God‘s work, but the nation’s as well. He saw strength in unity, even in the face of discrimination and death, way before such a dream could happen.?

The Seed of Unity

But, Dr. King bravely planted the seed anyway, knowing those actions were more than a dream. In business, it can be the same- being brave enough to do the right thing will ultimately yield the strongest results, which is good for everyone.

Dr. King acted as though he knew his strength and bravery empowered the future of a whole nation, that something great could grow from his actions, even his death. Being brave is also something American businesses can do to make the country even stronger.

Be Bold

We should all be so bold, to understand we are links in a great chain. To strengthen each other is to strengthen ourselves. The same is true in business. Encouraging good character and empowering people to be their best makes any company better.?