King Day is an Opportunity to be Better by Sharon D. Watkins-Jones

The King Day weekend approaches and Houstonians have many options for commemorating the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., including two parades, the MLK Grande Parade and the MLK “Original” Parade.  There will no doubt be many religious and civic ceremonies, speeches and concerts.  Many children will recite the I Have a Dream speech and political figures and celebrities will usurp every photo opportunity available to them all weekend long.  Everyone will have a chance to get a piece of the MLK pie, including shoppers looking for deep discounts on anything from a mattress to a Bentley.  Well, maybe not the ride… but you get the picture.

For one long obligatory weekend every year, Dr. King’s Dream lives on in our hearts and minds.  

But what will we do on the Tuesday after King Day?  What will YOU do?

Wednesday night, President Obama invoked memories of the fallen and hopes for the survivors of the Tucson shooting, providing consolation to some and inspiration to others.  He simply and effectively said, “We can be better.”  Those words should also serve as motivation to those of us with great reason to reflect on Dr. King this weekend, and perpetually.  We.  Can.  Be.  Better.

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Sharon is a community college administrator, former special education teacher, wife of 17 years and mother of two school-age children in northwest Houston. Her primary interests are family-inclusive culture and arts, travel, politics, historical literature, Texas Longhorns and all things Disney.  She writes for the Houston Examiner as a featured columnist.  We have been friends since ‘the crib days.’