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Drs. Jackie and David Jacobs, founders of the Pasadena MLK Community Coalition, were students at Alabama State University when they met Dr. King, whom they regarded as a dynamic speaker, when they attended church.
From 1954 until 1960, Dr. King was the pastor of the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, the only church where he pastored and the site where he began his activism.
“We were very, very inspired, encouraged and motivated by the sermons that Dr. King preached,” said David.
“A lot of the students attended [his church] And I remember when his house was bombed, a lot of us left the college campus and went to his house and we were outraged,” said David. “And I remember him coming out, saying that his family was okay and that we should go home. Everything is going to be alright. He was really a nonviolent person.”
Like David, Jackie recounted that despite the injustices African Americans faced at that time, Dr. King led people toward nonviolent resistance.
“No matter what, he still wanted you to put nonviolence first. Even though a lot of students didn’t,” Jackie said. “He steered us that way. So it just reminded me, no matter what [happened], he would bring it right back to nonviolence and how you couldn’t win with those sticks and those guns.”
Remembering the civil rights icon, Mayor Victor Gordo said his thoughts often turn to Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community,” a society based on justice, equal opportunity and love of one’s fellow human beings — a society in which all are embraced and none is discriminated against.
“I think about how our community has endeavored to embrace these, particularly so during the more than two years of unprecedented challenges.”
“The pandemic revealed that while Pasadena is a strong and connected community, it is also one that still has more work to do to ensure that every resident, young, old, and especially those who are vulnerable, feels safe, secure, seen, and supported by their community.”
Gordo said the Pasadenans are working together to address inequities and injustices. “I am as hopeful as ever that we will move together towards a stronger community in this new year.”
Allen Edson, President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Pasadena branch, said it was Dr. King’s faith that led him.
“Faith was probably a key to his success. I think his faith also helped galvanize followers not only in the African-American community but also from other communities as well that supported the civil movement at that time.”
When it comes to celebrating Dr. King’s life, Edson urged Pasadenans to get involved in events celebrating the legacy of King and reflect not only on his teachings, but also on the spiritual nature of his efforts.
Pasadena Assemblymember Chris Holden said Dr. King “inspired others to join together, march together, protest together, and pray together for change.”
Holden said as communities gather to celebrate Dr. King’s life, they should remember King’s enduring legacy of giving one’s life in service of others.
“The pandemic brought the world to a complete halt and highlighted that social inequities must continue to be dealt with.”
“I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass legislation that increases access to education and advocates for more social equity in our healthcare system, the environment, housing and homelessness,” Holden said.
County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said King’s example and words are more relevant today more than ever.
As an elected leader, she said she regularly reflects on a question King once posed to the nation: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
“Leading a county as big as Los Angeles is no small task. It takes vision, persistence, and grit – traits possessed and modeled by Dr. King. He was a tireless voice and role model for those who want to make our world better for the oppressed and marginalized.”
“When you dedicate your life to public service, you commit yourself 100 percent – you’re all in. Dr. King ultimately gave his life as he fought to end injustice and bigotry in our society. He will forever be an inspiration to me.”
Senator Anthony Portantino’s deep respect for King and his legacy goes back to his first grade.
“It goes back to over 50 years ago when my first-grade teacher was an African American woman and she came into our class around the time of Dr. King’s assassination, and talked to us about what it meant to her as a Black woman in the sixties. And she spoke to our first-grade class about it. And to this day, I still draw inspiration from that conversation from this outstanding first-grade teacher who shared her personal experience.”
For Portantino, MLK’s Day is a day when people should look inside themselves and see how they can be better based on the challenges put forth by King.
“There are still challenges. There are still racial and ethnic inequities in our society. And there are circumstances that need us to be much more sensitive about and diligent to correct, and I think we just need to continue to use Dr. King’s memory as an inspiration to do better and do more,” Portantino said.
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