The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Photo: Nobel Foundation)
Today is King Day – the day we remember and celebrate the life of one of our nation’s greatest heroes — the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
What’s more, oddly enough, this year, it’s also inauguration day for Donald Trump as he returns to the White House for his second term.
And it’s difficult to think of two leaders or historical figures who differ more.
King was a modern day prophet who courageously and selflessly challenged and spurred the nation to live up to the words of it founding documents by rejecting its dark past of racism and segregation and embracing a bright future of human rights and equality.
Trump, sadly, is a self-absorbed leader who looks backward rather than forward and who, despite paying occasional lip service to opposing racism, regularly allies himself with white nationalists who represent our nation at its worst.
The bottom line: There’s no doubt that Donald Trump will dominate the national political scene in the near term, but in the long run, Rev. King will be remembered and celebrated long after Trump recedes into obscurity.
For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.