“A society is always eager to cover misdeeds with a cloak of forgetfulness, but no society can fully repress an ugly past when the ravages persist into the present.”-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Have you ever woken up one morning and pondered about America’s state of social justice? If you know a little history about our great country’s past, you would be sure that one Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is not resting in peace but probably spinning in his grave from the current state of affairs. Dr. King was famous for several reasons, but one topic that stands out is his prophetic last book titled Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? By all means, Dr. King wanted America to revert to Community, but Americans continuously do the opposite by engaging in constant Chaos.

Dr. King Ponders, while he challenges the Status Quo Courtesy Everette Collection
For instance, the recent resignation of Dr. Claudine Gay that has shocked the nation. Dr. Gay took over as the Harvard President, and her services lasted a historic six months and two days. Her resignation follows a few issues that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have done if he had been alive or written about from his Birmingham Jail cell. Dr. Claudine Gay faced intense criticism after Harvard took up a position to criticize Hamas for attacking Israel. Specifically, a group of Harvard students said that Israel was solely responsible for the ongoing attacks that left women and children maimed and their painful deaths spreading throughout social media. In essence, these students were not starting political fires but condemning an evil so painful to watch. Still, Dr. Claudine Gay would face intense criticism for choosing Community over Chaos. She would pay the price for being pro-community in a world that was pro-chaos. Dr. Martin Luther King is spinning in his grave!
Then, there is the ongoing conversation about a possible dismantling of the administrative structures that have continued to support diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in America’s public colleges. The Manhattan and Goldwater Institutes called the debate a Model State Legislation. If passed, public colleges will no longer hire diversity, equity, and inclusion officers. Two Public college staff will also be barred from identifying and fighting against systemic racism. College employees will no longer commit to diversity statements. Finally, the passing of the new legislation would disallow institutional commitments to social justice, and students will not be addressed by their preferred pronouns! If you were to sit and ponder this conversation, you would agree with me that public colleges are headed away from their model Community settings to upcoming Chaos. These are the very social justice issues that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would stand up against, but they are happening in a world with a preference for chaos.

Courtesy AP Photo
The issue of Black women and their consistent relegation to the margins also swirled in my mind. Undeniably, Black Women have been consistent trailblazers for social change. In America, it is Black women who stand up and develop radical ideas about social transformation. They have continued to wrestle with the manifestations of Blackness in various areas, such as the criminal justice system, healthcare, popular culture, and news media. These Black women tirelessly amplify the experiences of Black women and girls. Despite their efforts at social transformation, these heroines remain on the margins of national development agendas. If Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had lived, he would be 94 years old. I was not born by the time of his assassination, and neither did I live through the struggles of the civil rights era. I can only imagine how he must have felt about social justice issues by listening to his moving speeches, punctuated by impeccable oratory skills and his orotund Baritone voice. In his “I Have a Dream” speech, and his "I Have Been to the Mountaintop Speech", Dr. King spoke about atrocities that affected the American Minority, "We Just Want to be Free". Sadly, our great nation is inching slowly back to the events of the civil rights era. We need a modern Dr. King to speak up with as much intensity on the ongoing conversations and challenge systemic racism, police brutality, income inequality, mass incarceration, and voter suppression.
Below you will find responses from a few of my colleagues, and modern day civil rights leaders today:
Kimberly Burse
Creative/Former Music Director to BET Black Girls Rock
Music Director/Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez Disney Holiday Show, and CMT Smashing Glass

In my mind, if Dr. King was in the Birmingham Jail today, I feel that with him being in jail would be because no matter his age, he would still be pressing towards the rights for voters, against police brutality and continued equality among all Americans.
At the same time, he would be so proud, of how the culture has flourished with accomplishments that were once viewed as we would never make it! He would be so glad to know his dream CAME TRUE! He would be proud that of our amazing accomplishments at being doctors, lawyers, teachers, politicians, scientist, computer analyst, managers, directors, and even Presidents!
Dr. Jasiri X
Founder/CEO 1Hood Media
Nathan Cummings Foundation Fellow
Robert Rauschenberg Foundation Artist as Activist Fellow
USA Cummings Fellow in Music

I believe if Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were alive today, he would be both shocked and inspired. I think he would be surprised by how much of his work has been eroded, particularly in the last few years, with the rolling back of racial justice laws, especially in states like Florida, Texas, and Oklahoma. There, efforts towards diversity and inclusion are being resisted, along with the banning of books.
Specifically, there are efforts to make it harder for people of color, particularly Black and Brown individuals, to vote. In 2024, I think he would also be shocked and disappointed by the increased militarism we are witnessing globally. This is evident in places like Israel and Palestine, with the ongoing violence, and in regions such as Sudan and the Congo. These are issues I believe Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would actively speak out against, striving to help and bring people together.
Furthermore, the migrant crisis and the levels of poverty and homelessness, which we haven't seen in many years, would also be disappointing to a man who organized poor people across racial and ethnic lines. However, I also think Dr. King would be inspired by the organizing that has been done, especially by young people, in response to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. The pushback against criminal justice issues, the rallying against more bombings and civilian casualties in wars worldwide, and the strong opposition to certain legislation are noteworthy. These actions, along with electing powerful voices that bring progressive values to the forefront, are significant. In Pittsburgh, we elected our first Black mayor in 2021 and the first Black congresswoman in Pennsylvania's history in 2022. The youth-led movement across the country, advocating for justice, equality, freedom, and equity for all, is a testament to Dr. King's enduring legacy and would undoubtedly inspire him.
Dr. George E. Gibson II
President of IMAC of Delaware
(Interdenominational Ministers Action Council)
Pastor ~ The Love Nation

So Cain killed Able with a rock and in the 21st century, we're still killing our brothers and sisters with a rock, it's just synthetic. The American agenda remains the same, the rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer. We still live in "White America," it's not the land of the free and the home of the brave for us. Trump showed America's true colors, "Make America Great Again," was just a play on words to Make America White Again. We've been brave a long time and freedom still alludes us. The sophistication of a racist systemic society and a white privilege "good old boys club" community continues to place us further away for our agenda and our goal. The justice system is unjust and Capitol Hill still has a swamp that needs to be drained. King declared: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."
Our places and spaces of education are deplorable, our economical equity has eroded, and our fight for freedom and equality has become to expensive and excessive. We are still being "red-lined," our neighborhoods are under-developed, and the blood of our youth and young continues to stain the asphalt juggles of our hoods. We're still the last hired and first fired. We're underpaid, undervalued and undercut! Dr. Martin Luther King embraced a sobering truth when he said, "I fear I have led my people into a burning house."
I think that Dr. M L King is flipping over in the grave right about now, the governmental system has "gas-lighted" the people and they just simply refuse to do anything that will move the chains down the field. Our governmental leaders banter and bicker with no intent to solve any environmental, educational, or sociological issues. The grid-iron and parquet has become the new plantation - mass incarceration is the new slave trade and mental illness is the new drug of choice.
What we have not figured out as a race is how to support each other. We have far to many intelligent, innovative and powerful people in our culture and community, we must find a way to bring our resources and collective minds together. We are indeed better together and I still believe a change is going to come.
Finals Thoughts
Thank you for taking the time to read my MLK, "If Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Was Alive Today", blog. I hope you found the information valuable and that it brought you insights or solutions. The “I Have a Dream” and “I’ve Been to the Mountain Top” are two powerful speeches, and a call to action, urging all of us, to actively work towards creating a better, more inclusive society. Dr. King’s work still resonates today, the collective responsibility to address societal issues. If you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to share them in the comments. Happy reading and until next time!"
Please review Dr. King's I Have a Dream and I've Been to the Mountain Top" youtube speeches below.
Let's stay connected.

Beautifully written