Anywhere there was a fight against an injustice Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would go. In April of 1968, King found himself in Memphis, TN taking on the case of sanitation workers who were working in life threatening conditions for little to no money. For years, employees worked in these unsafe conditions, however, it was the death of Echol Cole and Robert Walker crushed in garbage compactors that caused workers to take action. Hundreds of African Americans Memphis' Department of Public Works’ employees went on strike for higher pay, safer working conditions, and the right to join the union, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1733.

Despite being organized and participating in numerous boycotts or acts of nonviolent protests, the workers were not getting anywhere with their fight. But they knew who could help them, Dr. King. In March of the same year, King would lead a march that turned violent when some marchers started looting, erupting violence, and causing the death of a sixteen-year-old black boy who was beaten to death by police. After that incident, King returned to deliver the last speech of his life in support of the disgruntled workers at Mason Temple on April 3, 1968.

King told the crowd that they did not have to ”live like we are forced to live.” According to King, the masses had to do two things – stay together and focus on the issue. “It means that we've got to stay together. We've got to stay together and maintain unity.” He continued, “Secondly, let us keep the issues where they are. The issue is an injustice.” He challenged the people to come together. “For when people get caught up with that which is right and they are willing to sacrifice for it, there is no stopping point short of victory.”

Today, we find ourselves in a similar fate. Our world is getting more difficult to live in due to unfair treatment by the government. Our livelihood and civil liberties are being threatened all because people can’t work together to look out for their fellow man.

We are now living in the days of the longest government shutdown in history. People are going through some “dark and dreary nights” where they are suffering and hungry and don’t know when the situation will get better. Folks are going to work to put in an honest day but receiving checks with zeros. Now, this on a different scale than the sanitation workers but in the same light, it is not right. It is unjust.

In order to overcome these tough times, we have to ban to one another. People have to put aside their personal desires and think about the greater good. Exercise your voice to let the powers that be know that they have the power because we gave it to them with our vote but that same power can be easily taken away.

This country does not just belong to one person but to all of us. It is time out for the mistreatment of mankind, not just by the government but by everyone. Do this by having empathy and being unselfish in behavior. Don’t turn a blind eye. Instead turn your hand up so that the other can fit in your palm and work together. That is how you make America great again. That is how you honor a King.