On this Martin Luther King (MLK) Day, I would like to remember how people can create positive change for the good of humanity because of MLK’s thought leadership. For example, do you remember Senator John McCain, and how he voted against having a MLK Day?
Well, in short, Senator John McCain changed. He grew up! His views and perspectives about life changed as he became wiser and understood the impact of racism. In fact, he was among those who criticized President Trump after he reportedly referred to some nations as “shithole countries,” sparking widespread backlash. Politicians today, should use the memories of what MLK stood for and the change he sought – take root in each of our lives.
Words can hurt people’s feelings, and those who have a platform should speak out and celebrate those whom have changed, turned around their lives, and impacted the world in a positive way. So, when Senator John McCain passed away, this is what I had written:
“Our essence as humans calls upon each of us to slow down, almost involuntarily, and think about life when faced with personal tragedy or death. In the case of Senator John McCain, I asked my own self, what is it that I think about when I heard of his recent passing. As with most of us, when the initial shock has dissipated, you think of family. How is his family doing? Do they have support from friends and family? Do they need anything? From everything that I learned about this man through the public news, never having met him, shaken his hand, or witnessed his many public speeches, he appears to have been a very thoughtful, strategic, principled, hard working man, who grew to become more inclusive.
He understood the future of strength in America is not in its separation of people but how Americans can come together to solve big problems, find comprehensive rich, and balanced solutions that all can benefit from – not just the wealthy. He came to understand that the weak, undereducated or underemployed was more of a strategic imperative of enlightenment, and raised the conscience of “brain lock,” a form of, at all cost, party first thought. He was an outlier, that ultimately lead!
Senator John McCain provided each of us with wisdom, and common sense leadership. He was a man who continued to grow his intellect, intentionally choosing that he was not satisfied in his knowledge of the world, and navigated his capacity to change all the way to the end of his life. He also taught each of us that it’s ok to stand on principle, whether he received the support of his peers or not. Principle steeped in the good of all is always a firm rock to stand on. He stood on it proudly. “ MLK stood on it proudly.
During my active duty days in the military, I had the honor of being contracted to today’s FBI as opposed to the Hoover era FBI. Having traveled all over the country, literally a number of times, of which I’m so fortunate, I had to take a moment out to catch a breath. Instead of taking lunch, I visited the location where Martin Luther King was assassinated, on a balcony outside his second-floor room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. At the time, the country was in a heap of turmoil. Today, we see much of the same of lesser known individuals.
Stand on principle, to truly allow for America to reach it greatest potential.
Dr. James Hall