Every third Monday in January, the nation commemorates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose deep patriotism, moral integrity, and righteous advocacy continues to inspire us all. Although most remember him primarily as a leader of the civil rights movement, Dr. King was much more than a preacher and civil rights activist. He spent his life in service to others, using his passion and skills to advocate for those without access to power- regardless of their background, race, or income.
Instead of a “day off”, today is about creating more empathetic and understanding communities through our service to one another. No need to spend months designing some grand event- the concept is simple: by doing small things in great ways, every one of us is capable of making this world a safer, kinder, more equitable place to live. For example, Dr. King showed us the power of creative tension, the idea that disagreement can lead to creative ideas and outcomes. Talking through our disagreements might seem small, but committing ourselves to understanding can lead to exciting discoveries. Change and criticism is uncomfortable and rarely easy to handle. When facts contradict our beliefs, we can embrace the discomfort, hoping that mutual self-examination will bring us closer together. Or, we can become defensive, feeling isolated and defeated by the gap between our intentions and their impact that we cannot control. Understanding the source of our disagreements or differences with one another empowers us to communicate with one another more effectively and intentionally.
“We are prone to judge success by the index of our salaries and the size of our automobiles, rather than the quality of our service and relationship to mankind”
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Photo credit: Marion S. Trikosko, 1964.)
At PALS, volunteer program directors and staff from around the country gathered together to start the new year at our annual Leadership Summit. This year, we focused on diversity, inclusion, and belonging with workshops led by Philadelphia’s UrbnSeek!
By leveraging “creative tension” to encourage one another out of our respective places of comfort, we were able to transcend superficial differences and misunderstandings. Celebrating those traits that make us resilient and unique, we explored the wide array of perspectives that make us collectively stronger. Over the course of a single weekend, our willingness to engage with each other in challenging dialogue brought us closer together, illuminated opportunities for individual and collective growth, and left us inspired to be an active part in what comes next.
Since 2004, PALS has been dedicated to creating a world of belonging for people with and without Down syndrome through our inclusive camp programs. As we seek to bring more people into the PALS community every year, our commitment to diversity and inclusion continues to guide our growth. We understand that realizing our vision will require our actions to resonate with people of all backgrounds, beliefs, abilities, and orientations. So far, we’ve created a fund to support volunteers from underrepresented communities with travel to camp; added a bilingual program in Los Angeles to increase access to native Spanish speakers; and introduced a camp leadership role focused on diversity and inclusion to provide each camp with the tools needed to promote belonging and inclusivity. Our hope is that regardless of who you are, you will feel authentically welcomed and genuinely valued at any of our programs.
The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. remains a beacon of courage and an example of dedication to one’s values. Rather than donating money or gifts today, honor Dr. King by giving your time, energy, and passion to make a positive impact in your community. You can find out more about our commitment to ensuring a welcoming and transformative place of belonging here.
In solidarity,
Jacob
Head of Diversity & Inclusion
PALS Programs