In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, we would like to share world-renouned artist Stevie Wonder’s message to Dr. King:
“Dear Dr. King, I met you when I was 14 years of age. You were a true hero and you became an inspiration. I’ve been blessed to write songs of hope, love, and motivation, many of them inspired by your life. More than any award that I’ve ever received, I want you to know that I am thankful for how you influenced my place of love, which allowed me to try to push the needle of love and equality forward.
It is painful to know that needle has not moved one iota. For 36 years, we’ve had a national holiday honoring your birthday and principles, yet you would not believe the lack of progress. It makes me physically sick. I am sick of politicians trying to find an easy solution to a 400-year problem. I am sick of some people using God as a convenience rather than a commitment. I am sick of lies and deceit that dominate our reality. I am sick that truth is struggling to be heard and defended.
Until we turn our mouth movement into righteous action, we’re doing our nation, God, and your memory an injustice. Until what we say is what we do, there is no truth. It is just repeating and rewriting history just as we have for the last 400 years. We must define the truth in the facts that support them and declare them absolute. Those who promote lies and false truth must be held accountable.
[Our president- and vice president-elect need to] launch a formal government investigation to establish the truth of inequality in this country. This truth will validate the history and this commission will recommend reconciliation. Without truth, we cannot have accountability. Without accountability, we cannot have forgiveness. Without forgiveness, we cannot heal.
Those in leadership who won’t or don’t acknowledge the truth should be held accountable. Dr. King, these times require courage, as they did when you lived and paid the ultimate price. On this day, a day in your honor, I pledge to have the courage to say what I see and acknowledge what I hear.
In your spirit, I call on all those in the Senate to speak truth to what they know they can physically see and begin the steps of accountability, forgiveness, and then healing.”
We at Bell Arts Factory stand by Stevie Wonder’s message, remember Dr. King’s legacy, know that Black Lives Matter, and unite with our community in the endless pursuit of social justice and racial equity in this nation — we do this with hope for a better future for all children and generations to come.
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