MLK Day: What we fight for
By Michelle Byrne
As a board member of the The League of Women Voters of Greenville County (LWVGC), I believe it is important to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. on the national holiday, Monday, January 16. Our organization is fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice.
If we examine these concepts, they align with the lifelong work of this Baptist minister seeking racial justice in terms of the right to vote, desegregation, labor rights, and fair housing. Diversity refers to population groups that have been historically underserved in socially, politically, or economically powerful institutions and organizations.
Equity refers to systems, processes, and approaches based in fairness that ensure everyone is given equal opportunity and treated with dignity and respect. This means that resources may be divided and shared differently to make sure that each person has a fair chance to succeed.
The concept of inclusion refers to the degree to which a diverse set of individuals are able to participate fully in collaboration, strategizing, and decision-making within an organization, group or government.
It's been 55 years since MLK, Jr. was assassinated for his activism. I believe if he were alive, he would be saddened by the partisanship, along with racial and economic disparities and divisions in this country today. LWV is a grassroots organization, so I encourage to take time to reflect on what YOU can do to serve and act to make our communities more equitable and inclusive. Help us continue to fight for voting access, labor rights, fair housing, racial/gender equity, quality public education, and even a healthy and safe environment to live in.