When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. marched everyone didn’t agree with his methods.
According to historians, he first participated in a protest on March 7, 1965, during the Selma to Montgomery marches.
In her thesis, Darlene Gordon wrote: “Though King’s arrival was heralded by many Black Chicagoans and liberal civic organizations, he was also opposed by a distinct action of Negro politicians, ministers, and citizens. Most did not want the spotlight of non-violent protest to disturb a way of life that had been planted and nurtured away from southern society– a northern existence acquired slowly and through many vigilant years of struggle.
Sounds familiar?
There was opposition in Dallas, too!
Then, too, you have the oppressed who can not criticize their oppressor, for some reason, so they turn on one another.
Critics of Dr. King wanted him and his troublemaker friends to go home and stop riling folks up.
Decades later, some of those same critics will tell anyone who will listen that they marched with Dr. King.
But today, it is easier to gather receipts in the form of videos, books, newspapers, and the sometimes dreaded internet.
In the future, when folks are asked about their involvement in making the world a better place, documentation will silence the liars, separating the fake from the real warriors.
Martin Luther King III, along with his wife, Arndrea, and their daughter, Yolanda, founded the service-oriented program, Realize the Dream.
By Dr. King’s 100th birthday in 2029, the Kings are working with organizations, businesses, and individuals to accumulate 100 million volunteer hours, in the spirit of Dr. King.
In January 2025, Martin III met with students from the UNT Dallas College of Law and it became the first law school in the country to embrace the project. Joined by Paul Quinn College, the program was launched in Dallas.
Earlier this week at the annual Realizing the Dream Healthy Living Expo, at the South Dallas Cultural Center, students, under the direction of Professor Cheryl Wattley, signed up attendees who supported the premise of using volunteerism to build bridges and foster understanding.
Sounds like something Dr. King would have been pleased with.
I’m excited about the future, especially knowing that we have people working together to leave the world in a better place.
In a recent statement, it was noted that the project was inspired by the historic 16-minute ‘I have a dream speech’, and individuals, families, schools, and organizations are being encouraged to dedicate just 16 minutes to service, reflection, or meaningful connection. Whether volunteering locally, checking in on a neighbor, mentoring a young person, or showing up where help is needed, these small moments create significant impact.
“To date, Realize the Dream has logged 35 million hours of service nationwide, engaged 3.6 million young people, partnered with over 200,000 educators, and awarded more than 200 community service grants across more than 30 states,” according to the release.
Appreciating how service brings people together and strengthens communities, Prof. Wattley said that in the past year, the law school has recorded nearly 12,000 hours.
We can do more, and we will.
Thanks to Prof Wattley and the students for not only taking the leadership role but also partnering with our team at the Don’t Believe the Hype Foundation and I Messenger Media.
We understand the importance of collaborating, and together we can bring more people together.
So, join with us, keep track of your volunteer hours today.
