On Monday, our University will honor the abiding legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of reflection and service. By coincidence, that day will also mark the inauguration of the next president of the United States. Despite the undeniable fact that the election was contentious and that our society remains very polarized, the work of a university like ours, dedicated to the mission of education, research, and serving the public through critical thinking, evidence-based dialogue and the free exchange of ideas, is especially critical during these times. Indeed, while times of uncertainty and rapid change can create anxiety, they also create the potential for change, and we must continue to seek progress together with action and intention, in the model that Dr. King exemplified throughout his life of service and advocacy.
As the civil rights leader John Lewis, whose own life was so inspired by the work of Dr. King, noted “Democracy is not a state, it is an act.” And in Dr. King’s own words “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Our democracy depends on a citizenry of informed, engaged individuals who are invested in building and maintaining strong institutions, including vibrant public education, a free and uncensored press, free and fair elections, checks and balances on those in power, and a judicial system that provides equitable and humane treatment to all who come before it. Our University can best create and support these conditions when all members of our community feel included and empowered to make a contribution, regardless of their social, political, or religious views, shared ancestry, where they are from, who they love, or any other aspect of their identity. These principles at the heart of our community are enduring.
Across the UW, we extend Dr. King’s legacy in countless ways. Our Center for an Informed Public works to strengthen democratic discourse, and our Evans School of Public Policy & Governance is collaborating with UW’s Community Engagement and Leadership Education (CELE) Center on the NextGen Civic Leader Corps to help students connect to civic engagement and public service. In our law school, the Gates Public Service Law program provides tuition to law students who commit to working in public service.
Throughout his life, Dr. King led by example because he saw clearly that true impact requires work and action. Our UW community is steeped in the importance of creating impact through public service and sustained effort to build a more equitable, inclusive future for all. I hope you will take some time to reflect on your part in this shared project, and I look forward to our continued efforts together to uphold our democratic values and the ongoing journey toward Dr. King’s dream.