Statement from Rep. Brostoff on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

MILWAUKEE – Rep. Jonathan Brostoff (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement regarding Martin Luther King Jr. Day in remembrance of social activist Martin Luther King Jr.

“A federal holiday since 1986, today we remember a national hero. Martin Luther King Jr. was a man who, throughout his too-short life, fought for desegregation, freedom of speech, and a true and fair society for all in the United States.

Though his extensive and prominent career as a civil rights activist was cut short, in his lifetime he helped to create the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Beyond that, the emotional impact he had in the lives of African Americans living in the United States is immeasurable.

A beacon of hope, King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech was a turning point in the civil rights movement. It caused waves across the nation putting words to what many hearts had felt in a way that demanded to be heard on behalf of people who were, perhaps still are, systematically ignored.

Events that have occurred in recent years have shown clearly that racism is still alive and impacting our society in a big way. In Milwaukee, hyper-segregation is still a reality and we cannot be complacent with this. Neighborhoods, schools, and other institutions in Milwaukee are still contributing to the unfair treatment of many of our neighbors. Many communities right here in Milwaukee still suffer from disparate rates of unemployment, infant mortality, teen pregnancy, school dropouts, chronic diseases, poverty, evictions, and crime.

To honor Martin Luther King Jr., we need to stop our cultural acceptance of the status quo and fight against the everyday oppression and hate that is based on race, culture, nationality, religion, ethnicity, or language.

Today, please remember the immensely meaningful work that Martin Luther King Jr. did for this whole country over five decades ago and celebrate that work as a community by continuing to pursue his dream of a free and fair society for all.”

‘I have a dream that my four 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.’  – MLK Jr. August 28, 1963

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.