By Jeffery Howard

On February 4, 1968 at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his Drum Major for Justice speech before a packed church. He called for those in the pews to not get caught up with being concerned about the material possessions of this world but to think about their service to their neighbor. King envisioned a world where every person could be a drum major for justice, leading with love, compassion and a commitment to making a direct impact on the lives of everyone they encountered.

As we come together to remember the life and legacy of the Dr. King, let us not forget the intersection between his vision and the upcoming 2024 elections. Yes, he called for justice, equality and love towards our fellow neighbors, but he also tried to inspire us to look within ourselves and consider our responsibility to our collective communities. King’s philosophy still resonates today and should challenge everyone to consider, or even re-think, our concerns for our neighbors and the broader society.

As we pause at this moment in our time, we are called to preserve the dream, not pervert it. The upcoming 2024 elections provide all of us an opportunity to actively uphold Dr. King’s dream by engaging in opportunities that would lead to a more just and equitable society. Voting then translates his vision into actionable change leading to outcomes that ensure a level playing field for everyone.

Additionally, we must ensure that we have radical representation. Dr. King called for justice that extended to the most fundamental democratic principle of equal representation, which emphasized that every voice matters. Somehow there are those among us who are determined to silence the many to suit the few. Voting ensures that we have the voices needed to represent our interest in a free society. But our work isn’t done yet. We must continue forward with our feet on the pedal to wake up and encourage those who feel forgotten, or in some cases, frustrated to carry out their civic responsibilities. Think about your neighbor.

Dr. King gave up his life from a conviction to fight systemic injustices and to ensure that everyone had a voice as it relates to the importance of voting. What are you willing to sacrifice? What are you willing to give up that would lead to dismantling discriminatory policies and advocating for systemic change in 2024?

King’s vision and voting rights go hand-in-hand. As we stand in long lines in the heat, listen to crying babies standing next to their mothers because there is no babysitter and scroll our phones until it’s our turn in line, the ballot box becomes our weapon of choice to address our concerns to get the resources we so desperately need. Voting continues to be a crucial means of upholding the rights of everyone. Let us spare no expenses in getting the message out that your vote matters.

This holiday honoring Dr. King invites all of us to do some introspection work. We can no longer continue to play the blame game, rather we must ask the critical questions concerning our prejudices, attitudes and actions towards our neighbors. Who is my neighbor? Am I concerned about my neighbor who may not have the resources and connections I do? Do I speak up for the least of these in spaces where they are not welcomed?

Dr. King challenges us to move beyond lip service. A drum major’s instinct is a call to go beyond self-interest. It is a call to be committed to ensuring opportunities for everyone leading to a more just and equitable society. We may not agree on everything, but we can agree that voting is a fundamental right given to each person, no matter their color or creed.

Dr. King’s life and legacy is a call to move beyond spectating. We are called to “get in the way and make good trouble.” As you celebrate this year, let us internalize his vision and the need to vote this year. Because relationships matter, let us not get caught “sleeping” during this critical moment in history. Let us march toward the ballot box to continue fulfilling King’s dream.

Rev. Jeffery A. Howard is an Emmanuel McCall Initiative Consultant with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.