Today as we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it’s important to remember that reflecting on his legacy and quoting his powerful words is not enough.

Members of the King family have asked that rather than celebrate MLK Day we take inspiration from Dr. King and put in the work to build a more just, equitable society. In particular, they have asked Americans to stand up for voting rights. In a statement, Martin Luther King III said, “MLK Day has always been a day on, not off. When we call for ‘no celebration without legislation,’ we’re not urging Americans not to honor this day – we’re asking people to honor Dr. King through action to protect the right to vote.”

Protecting the right to vote is essential to the survival of our democracy. And voting rights are a clear example of how systemic oppression works. Although all U.S. citizens 18 and older are allowed to vote, laws that throw up barriers to registering or accessing the ballot box; denying those convicted of felonies the right to vote, and gerrymandered voting districts designed to assure certain outcomes chip away at those rights. And, generally, these laws most affect communities that are already marginalized. Recent efforts to create conditions that could allow election officials and legislators to overturn lawful election outcomes have also expanded this threat to all voters and our electoral process.  

This MLK Day, I ask you to join with me in urging our representatives in Washington to support laws that protect voting rights for all. I also ask you to double down on our community’s commitment to doing the work of dismantling systemic racism and other forms of oppression here in Somerville.

Our Racial and Social Justice Department just put out two calls for community members to get involved in the City’s reimagining policing initiative and in getting youth involved in our racial and social justice work. If you are interested in taking on this work, please apply. We need a wide range of voices and experiences to tackle these big issues.

I know Somerville shares Dr. King’s hope that one day we will live in a society where people are judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. But having shared values is just the beginning. It’s up to each of us to take on the work of building a community where we can all thrive and prosper.

―Mayor Katjana Ballantyne