“Today’s despair is a poor chisel to carve out tomorrow’s justice.” 

-Martin Luther King, Jr

Isn’t it interesting how difficulties have always brought us together? 

When tragedy strikes, we offer a shoulder to cry on. 

When the cold locks us indoors, we build a fire and gather around to stay warm. 

So when members of our community were treated differently, we came together and spoke up. 

Our country was founded with the ideals of democracy and equality for all. But like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. noted in his “I Have a Dream” speech, we still have a long way to go. 

Despite this, Dr. King didn't despair. He decided to do something about it, even if it seemed difficult—or dangerous. 

So he, his church, and other civil rights leaders rallied people to demand equal rights.  

Bayard Rustin. Philip A. Randolph. Ralph Abernathy. Andrew Young. John Lewis. 

Even Mahalia Jackson, Jackie Robinson, and former US President John F. Kennedy. 

Together, they organized the sit-in at Mary’s Cafe, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and the March on Washington. 

When you reflect on these major events, you might overlook that as a five-year-old, young Martin Luther King would memorize Christian hymns. 

Or that when he was 15 years old, he wrote a speech inspired by the discrimination his family faced. And he won the speech contest! 

But these early examples foreshadowed his future work in the community. Dr. King always turned his despair into action that would lead to societal change. 

In this same way, let's draw strength by coming together as a community when we face challenges. 

I hope this Martin Luther King. Jr. Day, you have a chance to rest, spend time with loved ones, and meditate on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

And so, I leave you with his words: “Let us be dissatisfied until they who live on the outskirts of Hope are brought into the metropolis of daily security.”  

Sincerely,  

Alicia Nuñez  
President & CEO  
Chicanos Por La Causa