KING’S LEGACY LIVES ON -- We must carry the torch of equality and justice
By At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown
The resounding conviction and commitment in his voice has surpassed time and space to teach us all how to fight for change. Through his ideas, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. passed the torch of equality and justice to future generations. My parents have shared Dr. King’s vision of equality and were actively involved in the civil rights movement. At an early age, they instilled in me Dr. King’s commitment to combating social and economic injustices. Their struggles taught me what it takes to make change and what it costs to fight for change. It is Dr. King’s legacy of civic participation that enabled and inspired me to become an At-Large Member of the DC City Council. Everyday I rely on his and my parent’s blueprint for making positive change in our lives. Intolerance of Inequality-- “ Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King refused to be silent while the maltreatment and discrimination against our people continued. It was his intolerance of inequality that spurred a nation to action. The steadfast resolve of Dr. King and millions of citizens ultimately expanded the power of later generations to close social and economic inequities. Their dream made possible my passion of representing the views of the residents of the District of Columbia. It is my goal to help unite the community so that we never become “silent about things that matter.” I desire to generate a cycle of communication where our residents are empowered to take a stand against modern injustices. We cannot afford to rest while we are denied voting representation in Congress. We must be intolerant of inequality and fight for change. Nonviolence-- “Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence…” –Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King taught us that a peaceful demonstration is far more powerful than taking an eye for an eye. Recently, our city suffered a great tragedy. We lost four young girls to domestic violence. Together we mourn the loss of the Jacks family daughters. While acts of violence have too often plagued our city and our nation, they will not deter our spirit. Instinctively District residents understand Dr. King’s lesson that there is power in peace. I believe it was this instinct that inspired a candlelight vigil outside of the Jacks family home. I was humbled to be among them and will fight peacefully with them to prevent innocent children from falling prey to crime and violence. Dr. King also taught us that to be nonviolent does not mean to be inactive. Instead, we are called to action. Last year, as testament to this principle the National Action Network united citizens from around the country in Freedom Plaza to fight for equality in the justice system and to spread a message of hope in the battle against hate crimes. Thousands participated in the March Against Hate Crimes and once again demonstrated the everlasting power of a peaceful protest. Faith-- “Now I say to you today my friends, even though we face difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream…” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Throughout his fight for equality, while suffering through great persecution, Dr. King taught us how to embrace hope through faith. From the letters written while in the Birmingham jail to the “I Have a Dream” speech, Dr. King restored the hope that we can become one. With great love for our city, I desire to encourage others to have faith in that dream. As a husband, father, and City Councilmember I continue to look for ways to encourage our next generation of leaders to press forward; to look beyond the perceived confines of their environment and beyond the perceived limitations imposed on us by society. Dr. King’s legacy charges us with a responsibility to empower our generation and stand for “things that matter.” With this knowledge, we must passionately carry the torch of equality and justice. With the power of ideas, we can overcome oppression through nonviolence. With the power of faith, we can move mountains. Empowered by his legacy, we can use our voices to provoke change and knowing that if we only dare to dream, we can change the world.
________________________________________________________________ BROWN’S MLK DAY PUBLIC SCHEDULE On Monday, January 21, 2008, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown will participate in public activities in remembrance of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Councilmember Brown’s public schedule for that date is as follows: 9:30 a.m.: (Event Duration—9:30 a.m. to 12:00 Noon) Councilmember Brown to make remarks at the 6th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Awards Ceremony, sponsored by the THEARC and Training Grounds. The event will be held at 1901 Mississippi Ave., SE. Further information is available by contacting THEARC at 202-484-3272 or www.thearcdc.org. 10:30 a.m.: Councilmember Brown will join Mayor Adrian M. Fenty at a Kickoff Rally for the “Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service,” which will be held at One Judiciary Square (441 4th Street, NW). The event will be followed by a march to the Center for Creative Non-Violence (425 2nd Street, NW.) For more information about this event, visit www.dc.gov or call 202-727-0709. 12:00 Noon: (Event Duration—11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m) At 12:00 noon, Councilmember Brown will help the Historical Society of Washington, DC celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday with a citywide synchronized bell ringing and a moment of silence for world peace. The event will be held at Carnegie Library, 801 K Street, NW. For more information about this event, visit www.historydc.org or call 202-383-1850.
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BROWN PUSHES FOR MUSIC, PE, AND VISUAL ARTS FOR ALL--Brown introduces the “District of Columbia Creative Learning Program Act of 2008”
(Left: Councilmember Brown reads to kids at Charles Young Elementary School) On Tuesday, Councilmember Kwame R. Brown introduced legislation that would require the Mayor and the Chancellor to implement a “Creative Learning Program” in all District elementary schools to take effect during the 2008-2009 school year. The legislation would make mandatory that each school be provided with music, physical education, and visual arts programs. The “District of Columbia Creative Learning Program Act of 2008” was cosponsored by all Councilmembers present at today’s meeting of the Committee of the Whole including Councilmembers Alexander, Bowser, Catania, Cheh, Evans, Graham, Gray, Mendelson, Schwartz and Wells. “How is it that we can spend over a $1 billion on education and fail to provide a music teacher in every school in the District,” asked Brown? “Schools shouldn’t have to hold fundraisers to pay for music and arts programs. I’m going to fight hard for this legislation and continue working to improve our educational system.” Brown introduced the legislation in light of Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s testimony during a Public Hearing on the closure of DC Public Schools, which was held on Monday by the Committee of the Whole.
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BROWN: KEEP JACKS’ FAMILY INVESTIGATION OPEN AND TRANSPARENT
On Tuesday, the Council Committee on Human Services, chaired by Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells, held a Public Oversight Roundtable on the death of four children in Southeast Washington, DC. At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown attended the roundtable and commented on the testimony of government witnesses including acting Attorney General Peter Nickels. “I want to commend the Mayor for acting swiftly and for taking the necessary steps to analyze what went wrong with the system,” said Brown. “We need to thoroughly investigate the failures of the human services agencies to find out how these children slipped through the cracks. The Mayor needs to take measures to seal up those cracks to ensure this tragic story is averted in the future. I also urge that the investigation continue to be open and transparent so that the public stays fully informed.” A prayer vigil has been scheduled to remember the children: - On Monday, January 21, 2008 from 7:00-8:00 p.m., interfaith clergy and community members will host a Prayer Vigil at the home of Banita Jacks, 4249 6th St SE. For more information about the vigil, please contact Lendia S. Johnson, Community Outreach Coordinator, Seventh District, MPD at 202-698-1454 or lendia.johnson@dc.gov.
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