On August 28, 1963, around 250,000 people gathered in Washington D.C. on a bright, sunny day to advocate for jobs and civil rights. This peaceful demonstration reached its peak when Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, delivering a powerful speech that transformed America forever.

During his third presidential campaign in August, Donald Trump made a comparison between the size of his crowd on January 6, 2021, and the multitude that attended King’s famous speech. Instead of showing concern about the violent rebellion that unfolded on that day—one that he incited—Trump boasted about the attendance at the “Stop the Steal” rally.

It’s a tragic irony that Trump’s inauguration occurred on the same day we honor Martin Luther King Jr. King dedicated his life to fighting for civil and human rights and was an advocate for economic and social equality for Black people and all individuals.

As for Trump, we will discuss that later. It’s relevant to note that the House Select Committee, which probed the events of January 6, estimated that only 53,000 individuals attended Trump’s speech.

 
Through the lens of legacy, I reached out to Martin Luther King III, the first-born son of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. I wanted to hear his thoughts on the significance of Inauguration Day coinciding with the day America remembers his father’s impactful work. I aimed to understand how he reconciles this significant overlap.

His response was straightforward: it’s about service.

“We’ve been contemplating this for a long time,” King shared with me through video from his Atlanta residence. “We inherently understood that no matter what happens in the future…we will have an election. Regardless of the outcome, we must continue to turn to one another instead of against each other. And we achieve this through various forms of service.”

‘You’ve got to make a dramatic change’

This Monday marks the 30th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is also a federal holiday and uniquely designed as a national day of service. Occasionally, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Inauguration Day fall on the same day.

For instance, Barack Obama’s second inauguration occurred on Sunday, January 20, 2013, with a private ceremony, while the public event took place the following day, Monday, January 21, 2013—Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Obama stated, “We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths—that all of us are created equal—is the guiding star for us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall; just as it led those who left their mark on this great Mall to hear a preacher tell us that we cannot walk alone; to hear a King proclaim that our freedom is deeply intertwined with the freedom of every person on Earth.”

Bill Clinton was the last president to be inaugurated on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1997. He observed that 34 years prior, King had delivered words at the opposite end of the National Mall “that stirred the conscience of a nation.”

“He spoke with the prophetic voice of old, dreaming that America would rise and treat all its citizens equally under the law and in spirit,” Clinton affirmed. “Martin Luther King’s dream represented the American dream. His journey is our journey: the relentless pursuit of living by our core beliefs. Our shared history has been shaped by such aspirations and efforts. Through our endeavors, we will fulfill the American promise into the 21st century.”

Not far from where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his unforgettable “I Have a Dream” speech, Trump will also give his address, directing the nation for the next four years. Due to forecasts of extreme cold, his inauguration will take place indoors at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.

As a result, the audience will be limited to a select number of invited guests—hopefully putting an end to any crowd size comparisons.

When I inquired whether King believed Trump would mention his father’s name, legacy, or words during his inaugural address, he responded with a light chuckle: “I haven’t a clue.”

However, King had a strong message for Trump. He spoke earnestly and thoughtfully.

“I don’t want you to echo the words; I want you to embody the actions,” King stated. “Anyone can throw around a lot of words, but what actions will you take to transform the lives of millions in this country? You are chosen to lead the free world, and that cannot be done by oppressing people or belittling them…You have to enact dramatic change.

“I honestly don’t foresee that happening,” King added. “Yet, we must persist in challenging him to strive to be the best version of himself, whatever that entails.”

‘Double down and rededicate’

King envisions a direction for America. He is committed to creating his own legacy while honoring his father’s path.

“It’s essential that people recommit and intensify their efforts,” King remarked. “This is about actively completing the work started by my parents and many others. We now face even greater challenges as our nation grapples with division. We must create opportunities for unity.”

Much of the division King references is tied to Trump. There is a significant contrast in ideals and actions between Trump and Martin Luther King Jr.

Trump’s promises to dismantle racial equity initiatives and deport immigrants directly contradict King’s principles. He has become a symbol for white nationalists who resist the evolving demographics of the nation. Additionally, many of King’s teachings about judging individuals by their character rather than skin color are often misrepresented by some of Trump’s supporters.

‘We have to keep going’

Today, over sixty years later, the dream lives on. The work remains unfinished.

King, along with his wife, Arndrea Waters King, and their daughter, Yolanda Renee King, is committed to reinforcing their family’s efforts to bring together the nation and ensure every American experiences peace, justice, equality, and love—the very dream his father envisioned.

It all comes down to one key concept: community.

“We have to keep it alive,” Arndrea Waters King expressed to me. “The reality is that we do not have the luxury of surrendering or stepping back.”

“Realize the Dream” is a national initiative the Kings launched in 2024 aimed at promoting unity and empowering communities across the country. But they seek even more from this movement.

They call on each of us to take action. The Kings have set an ambitious five-year target of achieving 100 million hours of community service by 2029—the year Martin Luther King Jr. would have celebrated his 100th birthday.

Volunteering at schools? Absolutely. Cleaning up local neighborhoods? Yes. Assisting at food pantries? Definitely.

“We see the state of our nation and the world, indicating there’s much to be done,” King remarked. “While individuals can achieve great things, we must work collectively to address these issues and improve our society.”

Why is this mission significant to King, whose name carries immense weight? Because, like his father, he holds onto dreams and envisions the hope that comes with communal support and upliftment.

“People often ask me, ‘Have we achieved the dream?’” King reflected. “The answer is no. We didn’t reach it last year. However, the beauty is that every January, we have the chance to start fresh, and there will come a day when many aspects of the dream my father envisioned will become a reality. This doesn’t mean we haven’t made any progress, but if you were to measure our progress, you would conclude, ‘We still have a long way to go to fulfill the vision that Martin King and Coretta King spoke about.’”

Like King, I have doubts about Trump’s ability to enact significant change. He has repeatedly demonstrated who he is to us. Trump’s moral compass seems to guide him toward a path riddled with resentment and divisiveness.

However, as a nation and a community, we can strive for better. We can extend our hands to our neighbors. We can embrace diversity and those seeking a better life. We can educate ourselves about history and learn from it. We can show love to those who differ from us. We can support vulnerable populations like women, children, and the elderly. We can provide for the less fortunate. We can advocate for justice and equality for all. We can work to eliminate hatred.

And when Trump privately takes the oath to uphold the Constitution on Monday, let us also make personal commitments to fight against the divisiveness that sometimes engulfs our country.

“We have experienced chaos for several years now,” King noted. “Intellectually speaking, that is unsustainable. But community can sustain us in many different ways.”

So let’s roll up our sleeves and begin the work ahead.

Suzette Hackney is a national columnist. Reach her on X: @suzyscribe