The way to change hearts and minds is not by force, but by being a force.
Martin Luther King Jr., whose birthday we celebrate today, understood that dynamic.
In words and deed, attitudes and actions, he was a force for racial equality and social cohesion.
Although King did not avoid confrontation, particularly in the face of injustice, his approach was based on human decency, mutual respect and service.
Service has become a cornerstone of the legacy of King, who once said: Life's most persistent and urgent question is: "What are you doing for others?'"
In honor of King's legacy of service, Congress in 1994 designated the holiday, created in 1983, as a National Day of Service and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service to lead the effort.
The group characterizes service as "a powerful way for citizens to empower themselves. Its annual report shows more than one in four Americans volunteered last year, which translates into 62.6 million American volunteers serving others for nearly 7.7 billion hours, at an estimated value of $173 billion.
Perhaps more inspiring is research showing volunteerism can be a path to employment. The group reports:
• The odds of securing a job, on average, is 27 percent higher for volunteers than for non-volunteers.
• Odds increase to 51 percent among volunteers without a high school diploma.
• The average rises further, to 55 percent, among volunteers in rural communities.
We recognize that much work remains to eliminate injustice and that service is a component.
But we believe, and statistics show, it is an important component.
Adversarial relationships escalate tension and conflict. Cooperation facilitates understanding, respect and compassion.
Today, in celebration of Martin Luther King's legacy, let's emphasis empowerment through service.