ATLANTA, Jan. 12, 2018 – Martin Luther King III, son of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King, released a message marking the 89th anniversary of his father’s birthday and the nation’s 32nd Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday:
“On behalf of my wife, Arndrea Waters King, my daughter Yolanda Renee King and myself, I join with people of good will all over the world, who will be celebrating my father’s birthday with a dazzling array of programs and events. This year the King holiday falls on my father’s actual birthday, January 15th, and our family would like to share the following message in commemoration of this special observance.
“In 2018 as we acknowledge and reflect on my father’s legacy, he would want us to look forward, not backward, to serve the present age and realize the dream. He would want us to recommit our effort to create the Beloved Community, in which people of all colors and cultures weave ourselves together in a brilliant, beautiful and majestic way.
“In these challenging times, let us all dedicate ourselves to seeking viable solutions that will address the world’s problems through cooperation, mutual respect, caring and a declared commitment to finding answers through nonviolent social change that result in the highest good for all. We have before us the glorious opportunity to inject a new dimension of love into the veins of our civilization.
“So as the world commemorates and celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr., I’m asking you not to idolize my father, but let us live up to his ideals.”
Mr. King, accompanied by his wife and daughter, will commemorate his father’s birthday by attending a prayer breakfast followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. They will also engage in a hands-on service project feeding those in need.
“It is our hope to inspire Americans to get involved in serving their communities on the holiday and every day in order to realize the dream.”