From Legacy to Action

From Legacy to Action

January 19, 2026

Today we celebrate the life, work, and enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a leader whose vision of a beloved community calls us to build a society rooted in dignity, strengthened by diversity, guided by equality, and sustained by joy. In Idaho, this day also marks Idaho Human Rights Day — a distinction that reflects both our aspirations and our complicated history. Across the country, MLK Day is widely observed with marches, speeches, and reflections on the American promise of liberty and justice for all. But in Idaho, that recognition did not come easily. 

This struggle to be seen and honored reminds us why Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community matters now more than ever. He challenged us to confront injustice, tell hard truths, and dedicate ourselves to collective care. At a moment when legislation increasingly threatens to roll back hard-won progress, and when efforts to erase difficult chapters of our national story are gaining traction, his vision is more vital than ever. Today is not only a day of remembrance. It is a day of responsibility. In Idaho and beyond, we are called to reexamine whether our actions truly align with our values. Are we living up to the ideals we claim to hold?

MLK Day became a federal holiday in 1983, but Idaho was slow to adopt it. Some lawmakers objected to a day dedicated to one person, particularly a person of color they characterized as having “communist tendencies.” After years of public advocacy in support of the holiday, a pivotal moment came in 1989 when Boise State University student Eric Love organized a peaceful march to the Idaho Capitol. More than 700 students and community members gathered to demand recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy. Bill Wassmuth, the Center’s namesake, spoke that day about the deep connection between civil and human rights and joined the crowd in singing “We Shall Overcome.” It was a powerful expression of what a beloved community looks like in action: people coming together across differences to insist on the dignity of all. 

In 1990, a compromise finally led Governor Cecil Andrus to establish Martin Luther King, Jr. – Idaho Human Rights Day, making Idaho the 47th state to recognize the holiday. The dual designation was intentional, affirming that civil rights and human rights are inseparable and that both belong to everyone. Idaho remains unique in this combined observance. 

Today, however, we are witnessing a troubling reversal of those historic efforts. Laws dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; policies restricting bodily autonomy and healthcare; attacks on public education; and attempts to rewrite history all undermine the very freedoms Dr. King and countless others worked to secure. Threats and violence toward people based on race, ethnicity, or immigration status violate not only our shared humanity, but the fundamental rights promised by our Constitution. These actions stand in direct opposition to the legacies of Dr. King, Bill Wassmuth, Eric Love, and so many others who worked to advance civil and human rights. 

We often hear appeals to “Idaho values” and “American values,” but this moment requires us to be specific: which values, and toward what kind of community? Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community provides a clear answer: one defined by dignity, safety, opportunity, and shared responsibility for one another. These principles reflect the best of who we are as Idahoans and Americans. As we reflect on that vision today, we must ask whether our words and actions are actively shaping a community that embodies these values. Living out this vision requires more than reflection. It demands intentional action in our everyday choices. 

One way is to hold fast to your values and align your actions accordingly. If you value community, find ways to connect and care for others. If you value dignity, let your words and actions reflect the shared humanity of every person you encounter. If you value inclusion, be intentional about creating spaces of belonging at home, at work, and in your neighborhood. When we pause, reflect, and live into our values through our actions, we carry forward the work of those who came before us. Together, we can continue building a beloved community where human and civil rights are honored, protected, and shared by all.