Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhuman.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Today, around the world, we honor the memory and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
And while it’s easy, in the hurry of life, to constrain our acknowledgement of Dr. King’s legacy to a single date on the calendar…
…the truth is, every day presents new opportunities to put his vision into practice.
Read on for 5 ways to advance social justice in your community– today and everyday:
1. Reflect on the words of social justice leaders.
Sometimes we get caught up in the belief that we have to “have it all figured out” before we can take meaningful steps to promote social justice in the world around us. But, fortunately, we don’t have to! In fact, a good first step is to lean on the wisdom of those who have gone before us.
We recommend:
- 7 Emotional Wellness Lessons from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Passing the Mic: 5 Emotional Wellness Leaders of Color
2. Diversify your influences.
It’s been said that you are the sum of the 5 people you spend the most time with. This includes the thought leaders whose words you take in, whether in person, on TV, in books, and– yes– even on social media. Take a moment to reflect on who’s speaking into your daily life? How do you feel about this? Are there steps you can take to invite some new perspectives into your routine?
We recommend:
3. Start at home.
Home isn’t just where we turn for comfort during times of stress. It can also be a powerful catalyst for change in your life and the lives of those you live with. Start small, and ask yourself what simple changes you might make to your environment and conversations at home, to make it easier for the people who live there to grow in their understanding of social justice.
We recommend:
- 5 Black History Month Books for Kids
- 5 Black History Month Books for Teens and Adults
- 3 Ways to Celebrate Black History All Year Long
- 5 Ways Anyone Can Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride
4. Use what you have.
When it comes to putting social justice into action, money isn’t the only tool at your disposal. Consider donating your time, creativity, or both(!) to boost the impact of work being done in your community and online.
We recommend:
5. Keep the momentum going.
With a solid foundation of growth and learning at home, it’s time to take your efforts one step further! Keep the momentum going by exploring new ways of setting compassionate boundaries, practicing non-violent communication, and advocating for meaningful change in your community and beyond.
We recommend:
- Struggling to Get Your Needs Met? Try Nonviolent Communication
- Compassionate Boundary-Setting
- 3 Ways to Promote Emotional Wellness in Schools
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Ready to take action to support your own emotional wellness?