Thread by @danielkhunter

Day 22, #90DaysOfProse

On April 14th, 1967, Dr. King gave a speech at Stanford University titled "The Other America". He addressed race, poverty, and economic justice.

His words ring true to this day. #MLKDay

"We must see that the struggle today is much more difficult. It's more difficult today because we are struggling now for genuine equality. It's much easier to integrate a lunch counter than it is to guarantee a livable income and a good solid job."

"It's much easier to guarantee the right to vote than it is to guarantee the right to live in sanitary, decent housing conditions. It is much easier to integrate a public park than it is to make genuine, quality, integrated education a reality."

Genuine Equality... it's still a struggle today.

"Somewhere we must come to see that social progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and the persistent work of dedicated individuals."

"And without this hard work time itself becomes an ally of the primitive forces of social stagnation. And so we must help time, and we must realize that the time is always right to do right."

Time alone won't heal racial wounds or improve the economic well-being of black people. Work must be done. Laws must be passed.

"Although it may be true that morality cannot be legislated, behavior can be regulated. Even though it may be true that the law cannot change the heart, it can restrain the heartless. While the law may not change the hearts of men, it can and it does change the habits of men."

Impacting public policy is an important means of obtaining equality. I may not be able to change a man's heart but I can help pass a law that will allow my brothers and sisters to earn a livable wage, or to receive a universal basic income.