Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. MLK

As Martin Luther King Jr.'s day arrives, it feels far more necessary than ever to honor him. His words and legacy of service hit with a different brevity after the past year and few weeks of 2021. 

And we don't mean honoring his work with an Instagram tile quote, we mean, to honor him with action. Sara Aridi’s weekend article in the New York Times reminds us that Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday "dedicated to a day of service when Americans are encouraged to heed Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words: “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.”  

If 2020 taught us anything it's that we are far from achieving equality, and the recent attacks on our capital show the deep division in America today. 

The truth is Dr. King’s dream is only available to a select few. Every single day black and minority people and communities live in a reality that white people do not know. All of us are being called to become everyday activists. Every moment is an opportunity to change the world around us for the better. 

Self-Care and Community Care Lead To Service

Dr. King and activists that are walking in his steps root their work in the idea that America can live up to its highest ideals. For that idea to be realized, it’s going to take all of us working together. 

Community Care has been a critical part of the Kush Queen ethos since the beginning, now we need you, as a part of our community to get involved.

Our philosophy is simple, if you take care of yourself and are functioning well, you can then take care of others in your community. Just like our philosophy with cannabis self-care and our belief in daily cannabis use to feed your endocannabinoid system, we believe in regular community care. 

Activism and self-care should be done as a part of our regular life and not a reaction to sickness or a negative news event. In all times, but especially in challenging times, you must foster great love and action for yourself and your community.  

Educate Yourself and Take Action

The experience of being anything other than white in America is a different experience than the mainstream expectation and those are the hard facts all people need to acknowledge. In our world, understanding and empathy start with education, especially with experiences outside of your own. 

In honor of Dr. King, check out some of his lesser-known work, explore black culture, art, and history. 

“As we look forward with hope and optimism to a new administration, we wanted to shine a spotlight on the inheritors of Dr. King’s legacy, the activists who are continuing his never-finished struggle and carrying his dream forward.” 

Our pals at Ben and Jerry’s, who are always doing good work put together this list of 10 Activist Continuing MLK’s Work and it’s spot on. Join us in getting to know some of the leaders of today’s fight for fairness, justice, and freedom.

Honor with Action and Operate from Love 

Turn MLK Day into a day “on” for your community. Service helps to empower individuals, strengthen communities, bridge barriers, address social problems, and move us closer to Dr. King's vision of a "Beloved Community."

AmeriCorps has an easy to use tool for finding volunteer opportunities in communities across the US. Use their Find a Volunteer Opportunity search to find an opportunity in your community! Or, on the MLK Day of Service, find an organization you care about and pledge to serve all year long.

The Kush Queen team supports organizations like BYP 100, Social Impact Center, National Expungement Week, Asylum Connect. 

Conclusion

The last few years have shown us that when we work together we can make positive changes in areas like racial and social equity, LGBTQIA rights, worker rights, and voter oppression; Dr. King would be proud of that community action!

Join us in honoring Dr. Martin Luther King’s life work and take action in holding America to its highest ideals. Happy Martin Luther King Day!