At Southwest Airlines, we’ve always put People first. We believe in The Golden Rule of treating others the way you want to be treated. To do that, we must demonstrate kindness, compassion, and love—all things that Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke about and dreamed of.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day serves as a great reminder of these important values. Some show their appreciation for Dr. King’s messages through a day of service or by coming together with others to have a conversation about his teachings. I believe there is value in the many ways we celebrate and the different perspectives we each bring.
I like to celebrate Dr. King’s messages by teaching them to my grandchildren. Martin Luther King, Jr. said in his most remembered ‘I Have a Dream’ speech: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
I teach my grandchildren the hue of our skin may be different, but every man, woman, boy, or girl’s blood is red. We are more alike than we are different. We are our best selves when we show compassion to others, open ourselves to hear perspectives different than our own, seek to find our commonalities to be the bridge that connects us beyond our differences, and forgive more than we fight.
How do you honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
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