The Equation for Change

by Gerald "JJ" Jean-Baptiste The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. A less familiar quote of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. but holds a paramount place in my life. Growing up as a young African-American male has placed a vast number of challenges in front of me. This quote reminds me everyday that as long as I persevere through the challenges the sky is the limit. Dr. King used quotes such as these to inspire generations of people to fight for equality. The everyday struggle of peace and goodwill is a challenge that many cannot sustain. There are some, including myself, who have taken on the task of being a soldier of change. By taking on this status a target is instantly placed on my chest. A target that Dr. King and so many others have died by. The death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is a tragedy of American history but I have derived an unfamiliar viewpoint of the assassination of Dr. King. Through out my study of Dr. King, there is one aspect that he stressed beyond anything else it is a movement, not one man. Even though Dr. King was killed his connection to the public continued. Looking at this situation I became lighthearted. I knew that as long as a person puts his heart into a movement that movement could never die. This is why Dr. King never used violence as a tool to further his ideals or advance his message. He could have killed Governor George Wallace and that would have damaged a sect of the segregationist movement. But would this truly stop the segregation movement and prevent the triumph of racism in the South no. The only way to eliminate racism was through a peaceful quelling through innovative speech. Dr. King not only realized the power of an idea but the power of collaboration of those seeking change. I consider myself part of that collaboration seeking change because of the choices I have made as a student. Being a freshman at New York University I felt like a microscopic piece of a puzzle that I have yet to figure out. I could have let my freshman status reduce my ability to commit to being a soldier of change. On the contrary, I pushed myself harder to become a community leader at NYU. I became an active voice in organizations such as Academic Achievement Program and Gentlemen of Quality. I also engaged in the community through several community organizations such as the boys club of New York and Transform America. Dr. Kings message for change has not only encouraged me but many other prominent leaders. As I struggle to collaborate for change, I work from the ground up. This is more difficult than I perceived especially with the trying times. The American automobile industry is failing and without government assistance

will crash. The financial industry is currently receiving help from the government to prevent its downfall. Numerous families are losing their homes due to foreclosure. It is pretty hard to institute change when people are just trying to stay afloat. Ironically, change will never occur unless the state of country is monumentally horrible. Minority citizens who experienced the Jim Crow laws of the South knew it was time for change. These people were fire hosed, attacked by dogs, and beaten but never let evil deter them from achieving their goal for change. Looking at struggle of the civil rights movement, I understand that if we as a people connect and collaborate, change is possible. President elect Barack Obama understands the message of change better than anyone else. The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice, a Dr. King quote that Obama uses in many of his speeches. Obama pushed a campaign similar to Dr. Kings civil rights movement. Both movements focused on connecting America to collaborate for change. On August 28, 1963, Dr. King brought thousands to Washington, D.C. to recite a speech that would incite action. Dr. King called for equality for all of Americas citizens and eradication of the racist segregation institutions. Obama will also be bringing thousands if not millions to Washington for another reason. Obama will be calling for the assistance of all American citizens to raise the country out of the dark abyss that we reside in currently. On January 20, 2008, as Obama speaks to the millions watching, an unexplainable feeling of hope will overtake the world. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood in the face of injustices and destroyed them with the sword of righteousness. The most important aspect of Dr. Kings battle with prejudice and racism that many forget is he did not do it alone. It took millions of people who supported him in his endeavor. Support from people that were black and white, poor and rich, ignorant and enlightened. Dr. King did something that I admire until this day he connected people from all over this country. He then used that group of people to collaborate under the banner of the civil rights movement. The civil rights movement then fought for change. As a student in search of knowledge I absorb the Dr. King model for change and will use it in future endeavors.