Black History

COMMENTARY: On this Solemn Anniversary; What Trump Can Learn from MLK’s Teachings about Leadership

BLACK VOICE NEWS — April 4th marked 51 years since Martin Luther King, Jr. was felled by an assassin’s bullet, yet the world continues to embrace his powerful teachings—teachings that have inspired millions everywhere who continue his fight against all forms of injustice.

Published

7 years ago

April 11, 2019

Oakland Post

S.E. Williams

April 4^thmarked 51 years since Martin Luther King, Jr. was felled by an assassin’s bullet, yet the world continues to embrace his powerful teachings—teachings that have inspired millions everywhere who continue his fight against all forms of injustice.

King dedicated his life to closing the fissures that continue to exist between races while encouraging the recognition of the oneness of humanity. Despite the many challenges he faced—which included constant struggles, conflicts and setbacks—he achieved meaningful progress in his quest for equality by leveraging the uncompromising power of agape love.

“ll life is interrelated,” King preached noting, “that somehow we’re caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

King also believed, “Words mean something.” He encouraged people to speak up for what they believe in, while at the same time stressing when you do speak up, you should first, be very sure of what you want to say and then. . . you should say it with conviction.

Through the long years of the Civil Rights movement King challenged Americans of all races to take a stand on the issue. “here comes a time when we must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because it is right,” he encouraged.

Today, King’s words seem to resonate more powerfully than ever when considered in the context of modern-day America.

This is especially true when considered in light of the current president who continues to smash all civil and political norms and who is working aggressively, at cross-purposes from the wishes and desires of the majority of Americans, to undo progress on a myriad of issues ranging from health care to climate change, from immigration to the environment and the list goes on.

The future of this nation currently rests in the hands of a leader who is more concerned with catering to the whims of his political base than working on behalf of all Americans. This, in addition to his bizarre attentiveness to and fawning over the world’s despots, coupled with his narcissistic self-aggrandizement and relentless lying has left little room in the public square for anything beyond the constant churning of empty promises and hateful mandates.

As a leader, King succeeded in ways America’s current president never will because King understood that being a good leader, a wise leader, has little to do with popularity. Unlike the nation’s 45^th President, King knew, “A man all wrapped up in himself is a mighty small package.”

This article originally appeared in Black Voice News.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

Rep. Adams and Rep. Underwood Launch Black Maternal Health Caucus

Don't Miss

COMMENTARY: Dr. King’s Assassination

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of May 6 – 12, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of may 6 – 12, 2026

Published

2 days ago

May 10, 2026

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

On the Frontlines of Hate: NAACP Links Victims to Critical Support

The NAACP CA/HI has a long and well-established record of supporting victims of discrimination and hate crimes — providing critical referrals and, when necessary, direct assistance through legal advocacy and other forms of support. Beyond responding to incidents, the organization continues to advocate on broader civil rights issues, including voting rights and legal protections. It has also worked to counter efforts at the state and federal levels that could weaken the voting power of communities of color.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 1, 2026

Oakland Post

NAACP members at a recent advocacy day in Sacramento urging lawmakers to protect voting rights. Photo courtesy of California Black Media.

By Joe Kocurek
California Black Media

The California/Hawaii State Conference of the NAACP (CA/HI NAACP) has expanded its efforts to respond to rising hate incidents and civil rights complaints across California, supported in part by funding from California’s Stop the Hate Program

Through that grant, NAACP CA/HI has strengthened its ability to connect individuals experiencing hate or discrimination with critical resources. This includes referring those who file complaints to the CA vs Hate hotline, a statewide, non-emergency hate crime and incident reporting hotline and online portal created to help counter a more than 50% increase in reported hate crimes in California between 2020 and 2024. The system helps ensure incidents are documented, and victims are guided toward appropriate support.

LaJuana Bivens says the work of NAACP is as urgent as ever. Photo by Regina Wilson, California Black Media.

LaJuana Bivens, who has served in a number of roles within the NAACP, said California has seen an increase in civil rights violations and hate-related incidents.

“We have 52 branches, and they are constantly receiving complaints,” she said. “So, without the Stop the Hate, we would not be able to refer those cases up to attorneys at the state level. A lot of the people would not have had an opportunity to be heard.”

Carmen-Nicole Cox helps survivors of hate with their legal options. Photo courtesy of Carmen-Nicole Cox.

Carmen-Nicole Cox, an attorney who works with NAACP CA/HI – as a part of California’s Stop the Hate Program – provides legal consultation to victims of hate incidents and discrimination through her legal practice, the Cox Firm for Law and Policy.

She said the complaints she receives span a wide range of issues.

“People are having home builders and landlords refusing to provide repairs, a student was denied promotion in an academic program, and targeted scrutiny at work,” she said. “It’s typically employment; it’s housing; it’s education.

“We’ll meet and they’ll share their experiences,” she said. “And then I make assessments about possible legal claims.”

According to the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), nearly 1,200 reports of hate against minority groups were submitted in 2024 through the CA vs Hate hotline and online portal for non-emergency incidents.

While the California/Hawaii State Conference of the NAACP, which has tens of thousands of members, does not directly investigate hate incidents or crimes, it plays a key role in connecting victims to the state’s reporting systems and support services.

Beyond responding to incidents, the organization continues to advocate on broader civil rights issues, including voting rights and legal protections. It has also worked to counter efforts at the state and federal levels that could weaken the voting power of communities of color.

Bivens recently traveled to Sacramento to speak with state lawmakers about voting rights during an advocacy day event hosted by the organization.

“It’s just so hard for communities of color to be up to date because of all of the confusing information coming from the federal level,” she said. “I love our great state of California because here it is possible to vote by mail and to vote early.

“And I’m seeing that trying to be eroded. So, I’m here to urge continued support for vote by mail and early voting.”

When Texas moved to redraw congressional districts in ways critics said would dilute minority voting strength, NAACP CA/HI supported the passage of Proposition 50 in California. The organization also intervened in United States v. Shirley Weber, where federal officials sought access to unredacted California voter records, including Social Security numbers, raising concerns about misuse and voter intimidation.

Cultivating the advocacy and leaderships of young people is central to NAACP’s mission to fight racism and dismantle inequality. Photo courtesy of California Black Media.

A federal district court dismissed that case in January 2026.

The organization’s current work builds on a long history of civil rights advocacy. Today, Bivens says, the organization’s mission remains as urgent as ever.

“We are the oldest, boldest, most feared Civil Rights organization,” Bivens said. “What we do every day is fight for better housing, education, economic development and political inclusion. We take it on because there are just so many people who need that support.

“You would be amazed that our phones ring every single day.”

Get Support After Hate:

California vs Hate is a non-emergency, multilingual hotline and online portal offering confidential support for hate crimes and incidents. Victims and witnesses can get help anonymously by calling 833-8-NO-HATE (833-866-4283), Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. PT, or online at any time. Anonymous. Confidential. No Police. No ICE.

This story was produced in partnership with CA vs Hate. Join them for the first-ever CA Civil Rights Summit on May 11. More information at www.cavshate.org/summit.

https://youtu.be/_k7UVhI-sN8