Compiled by Erica Wright
In a country divided more now than ever in recent memory, we asked Birmingham area residents, are we in need of MLK’s teachings of brotherhood?
Candace Phillips: “Yes and I feel like that’s been an evergreen need — meaning that it’s been a need throughout history . . . it’s always going to be a more pressing need in the now because of the way humankind operates. We always need to be reminded of goodness.”
Sevgi Yasarturk: “Absolutely. I think our nation as a whole is moving more and more toward division and violence and I think it’s kind of escalating where people aren’t really hearing each other, they’re just kind of standing firm on two sides. I think Dr. King’s whole mission was unity and bringing people together to hear one another and I think that’s going to be vital if we’re ever going to effect changes to stand together on things and dream together.”
Seth Eddings: “I’d say very much so, especially now since we’ve seen more intolerance, there’s actually starting to be more opposition, I guess, to change. I feel like there’s actually been progress made recently, but with that comes the older generation’s or the more conservative minds which oppose, so, yes as long as there is hostility there, there needs to be teachings of peace, love and understanding to equal it out.”
Chanah Willis: “Yes, his teachings may seem a little old or outdated but they’re still so relevant because this is a problem that we’re always going to have. It’s just you could have extreme people being upset and extreme people needing love and care, but you still have to serve the people and you still have to have peace, love and understanding. It’s just a human principle that we have to have.”
