Martin Luther King Jr. Day - National Day of Service

Today, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we are allowed to reflect on two things. We can appreciate the work of the great Dr. King, who inspired a nation to stand up against the tyranny of injustice. In his famous Letter from Birmingham Jail, he provides us with a line that encapsulates the importance of being an active citizen: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” The power of these eight words, representing a clear call to action without explicitly stating a request, continues to echo throughout our lives. Today, we can continue to respect these words and respect Dr. King’s legacy by participating in the National Day of Service.

On this day of service, we encourage you to find a way to be a more active citizen by helping those around you. We also encourage you to focus on the purpose behind it all, keeping in mind this quote from Marcus Aurelius: “You’ve given aid and they’ve received it. And yet, like an idiot, you keep holding out for more: to be credited with a Good Deed, to be repaid in kind. Why?”

Remember that there is no greater reward than making the world a better place and that today does not need to be the only day to give back. Use today to build momentum in becoming the best citizen you can be.

-Kelly Schulte, YCS President