Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Top Stories

Remembering a dream amidst uncertainty

Martin Luther King Jr.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. addresses the March the Washington on Aug. 28, 1963.

PhotoQuest/Getty Images

Johnson is a United Methodist pastor, the author of "Holding Up Your Corner: Talking About Race in Your Community" (Abingdon Press, 2017) and program director for the Bridge Alliance, which houses The Fulcrum.

As I reflect, my spirit is a mix of melancholy and optimism, a paradox inherent in the annual observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. The legacy of Dr. King, who embodied the audacity of hope and the relentless pursuit of justice, remains a prophetic standard in these uncertain times, illuminating a path toward the "beloved community" he so passionately envisioned.

Our democracy, a system designed to uphold the principles of liberty, justice and equality, seems to be teetering on a precipice. The impending 2024 presidential election doesn't invoke optimism but provokes division and uncertainty. In these moments of instability, I cling to King's unyielding faith in the power of unity and the promise of democracy. His dream was not one of complacency but of continuous striving – striving to create a society where equity is not a hollow promise but a lived reality.


There is no discounting the positive societal changes witnessed over the years since King's death, particularly in civil rights and social justice. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, both championed by King, marked the beginning of a new era of progress, setting a precedent for the fight against discrimination in all its forms.

The world King left behind has changed dramatically, yet the persistent racial, socio-economic and geopolitical imbalances he fought against are still enormously present. The scales of justice tip more towards privilege than the marginalized, more towards the haves than the have-nots. And there is still much ground to cover.

I'd like to see more change in the realm of economic equity. The wealth gap, particularly along racial lines, continues to be a pressing issue. Second is greater expansion, accessibility and inclusiveness of voter rights. Respectfully, that impacts above all other aspects of life, including access to quality education, health care and opportunities for upward mobility.

Amid the noise, I listen and lean to King's resilience and unrelenting belief in the power of love and unity to overcome the deepest divides. The "beloved community" he envisaged isn't a utopia free from conflict; instead, it is one where discord is contested through mutual respect and understanding, where love and justice supplant hate and inequity.

The beloved community is a divine promise yet to be fully realized. It is not an unreachable ideal but a call to action. It is a challenge for us, regardless of race, religion, or socio-economic status, to actively contribute to building a society that reflects the values of equity, justice and love. Our shared journey towards achieving this goal is a collaborative one.

Each of us has a role in bringing about this change. One way I can contribute is through advocacy and education. Through our respective platforms we can create more informed and engaged communities, bringing us closer to realizing King's dream amid these uncertain times.

As we engage in the democratic work and responsibilities of this year, let us believe that our democracy, though seemingly unstable, is not beyond repair. The power to effect change lies within ourselves. This year's election is a crucial opportunity to shape history and create a narrative of progress, inclusivity and justice. Our respective actions, or lack thereof, will determine the course of our nation and the world's future.

In paying tribute to the enduring legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., we should not merely laud his achievements and idolize his persona. Instead, let our nation wholeheartedly embrace his vision by actively engaging in the battle for social justice. Let us strive to transform our society into one where love and justice reign supreme. Though the path may be fraught with challenges, let King's witness of hope and unity anchor our efforts in unsettling times.

We may not simply treat this year's national observance as a mere day off but rather as a call to action for each of us to contribute to the advancement and uplift of us all. I pray we respect King's divine expectation of a beloved community not as a relic of the past but as a blueprint for the now and the not yet.

Read More

Trump Shows That Loyalty Is All That Matters to Him

Guests in the audience await the arrival of U.S. Vice President Mike Pence during the Federalist Society's Executive Branch Review Conference at The Mayflower Hotel on April 25, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

Drew Angerer/Getty Images/TNS

Trump Shows That Loyalty Is All That Matters to Him

Last week, the Court of International Trade delivered a blow to Donald Trump’s global trade war. It found that the worldwide tariffs Trump unveiled on “Liberation Day” as well his earlier tariffs pretextually aimed at stopping fentanyl coming in from Mexico and Canada (as if) were beyond his authority. The three-judge panel was surely right about the Liberation Day tariffs and probably right about the fentanyl tariffs, but there’s a better case that, while bad policy, the fentanyl tariffs were not unlawful.

Please forgive a lengthy excerpt of Trump’s response on Truth Social, but it speaks volumes:

Keep ReadingShow less
Democrats, Gavin Newsom Is Not Your Blueprint

California Governor Gavin Newsom (right) speaks as California Attorney general Rob Bonta looks on during a news conference at Gemperle Orchard on April 16, 2025, in Ceres, California.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/TCA

Democrats, Gavin Newsom Is Not Your Blueprint

Few in American politics are as desperate as California Gov. Gavin Newsom is right now.

Newsom, long considered — by himself, anyway — a frontrunner for the Democratic nomination for president, has been positioning himself and repositioning himself to be next in line for years.

Keep ReadingShow less
Americans Want To Rein In Presidential Power

Protestors march during an anti-Trump "No Kings Day" demonstration in a city that has been the focus of protests against Trump's immigration raids on June 14, 2025 in downtown Los Angeles, California.

Getty Images, Jay L Clendenin

Americans Want To Rein In Presidential Power

President Trump has been attempting to expand presidential power more than any president in recent history, in large part by asserting powers that have been held by Congress, including federal funding and tariffs. Public opinion research has shown clearly and consistently that large majorities—often bipartisan—oppose expanding presidential powers and support giving Congress more power.

The Pew Research Center has asked for nearly a decade whether presidents should not have to “worry so much about Congress and the courts” or if giving presidents more power is “too risky.” Over seven in ten have consistently said that giving presidents more power would be too risky, including majorities of Democrats and Republicans, no matter which party is in power. In February 2025, 66% of Republicans and 89% of Democrats took this position.

Keep ReadingShow less
Why Congress Must Counteract Trump’s Dangerous Diplomacy

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the Oval Office at the White House on May 6, 2025 in Washington, DC. Carney, who was elected into office last week, is expected to meet with President Trump to discuss trade and the recent tariffs imposed on Canada.

Getty Images, Anna Moneymaker

Why Congress Must Counteract Trump’s Dangerous Diplomacy

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s May 31 speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue defense summit in Singapore was no ordinary one. He accused China of posing a “real” and “imminent” threat, leading China to accuse the United States of touting a “Cold War mentality.” Juxtapose this with King Charles’ May 27 speech opening the Canadian Parliament, which he was prompted to deliver in response to U.S. threats to annex Canada. Consistency has not been a hallmark of this administration, but the mixed messages are not just embarrassing—they’re dangerous.

Given Trump’s unpredictable tariffs and his threats to make Canada the 51st U.S. state, Canada can no longer rely on its continental neighbor as a trusted partner in trade and defense. Canadians are rallying around the hockey saying “elbows up” and preparing to defend themselves politically and economically. Trump’s words, which he doubled down on after the King’s speech, are destroying vital U.S. relationships and making the world—including the United States—less safe. Hegseth’s message to China rings hollow next to Trump’s refusal to treat territorial borders as subject to change only by consent, not coercion or conquest.

Keep ReadingShow less