Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!

Lila and her best friend, Maggie

Even as our country feels more divided than ever in my lifetime...

Even as Governor Paul LePage says "Kiss my butt" when NAACP officials question why the state of Maine won't be represented at a respected and long-held statewide Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration...

Even as Wake County, North Carolina dismantles its nationally-hailed school integration program, paving the way for a 1950s-styled resegregation of black and poor students...

Even as the recession slams African Americans at an alarming clip, thus solidifying Martin Luther King's insistence that the fight for economic justice was just as important as the fight for racial justice...

I'm reminded every day that this part of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream—"that one day... little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers"—is necessary, possible, happening...

And beautiful.

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. Take the time today—if only for a moment—to reflect, believe, inspire and serve someone who is less fortunate than you. It is our duty. It is what Dr. King wanted. And it is only right.  

Peace, then love.