“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the creative light of altruism or the darkness of destructive selfishness. This is the judgment. Life’s persistent and most urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?'” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

People often quote or misquote Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. about hoping one day the world could see his children as more than a color, and judge them solely by their character. And look past his focus on service, as a crucial part of working together for equality, unity, and community.

After years of campaigning, the first official observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday took place on January 20, 1986. In 1994, the King Holiday and Service Act, proposed by Congressman John Lewis and Senator Harris Wofford, expanded the holiday as a “day on, not a day off,” encouraging people to come together and serve their local communities. The holiday has since become a day of service, encouraging Americans to engage in community service and reflect on Dr. King’s legacy.

King upheld that everything that uplifts humanity is worthy. And to be able to appreciate our differences and look beyond them, to make small steps to make our world a better place, can be a service to your community. While some milestones passed on the path towards King’s dream, such as removing manmade barriers to inequality in public education, federal programs, public accommodations, and voting, like the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, other obstacles remained. Unfortunately, the legal decisions handed down didn’t completely remove the rusty framework of centuries of inequality and racism that existed.

However, there was hope embedded in the inaugural Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. As his widow Coretta Scott King noted, “no other holiday serves as a focal point for encouraging improved race relations. This holiday can help unify Americans in the spirit of Martin’s dream.”

Today is a day to honor his belief in a better future and a brighter future. 

Teach for America has compiled a list of ways you can participate in honoring Dr. King’s legacy on MLK Jr. Day, whether virtually or in-person, on Monday, January 19th.