Evie's Desk: Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.January 21, 2008 |
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 Just about everyone's heard the time-worn saying that the only things in life you can count on are death and taxes. I'd like to add a third inevitability and say there's no escaping change. Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day and to commemorate this great leader I'd like to draw attention to his ability to enact important social change against tremendous odds. By inspiring millions of Americans to change the way they think and behave, King empowered members of racial groups that had been oppressed for decades to take part in a new era of freedom. Still, social change can at times seem impossible. The 2007 Child Care Portfolio highlighted in this week's Monday Morning Report sheds light on some dismal statistics about how we are not meeting the needs of children and families in L.A. County, and how the high cost and unavailability of licensed quality child care is putting strain on many families. Despite extensive research and recommendations that have existed for years on how to change these circumstances, many of the problems remain the same. Yet, as we remember Dr. King on this day, I hope our readers and all advocates for children and families find inspiration in his ability to enact broad, positive social change. As he improved lives by inspiring a greater sense of equality, we must continue to strive to do better for our children, not only through programs and services, but by creating a movement where the well-being of all children is a priority in the minds and hearts of our leaders and our neighbors alike. Evelyn V. Martinez
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