This month’s column is, in part, from an email I recently sent to the staff. After some thought it seemed clear that it was also well suited for the membership because, after all, we the staff are you the membership, and you are us. So here we go, my column for the shortest month of the year!¹

On November 17, 1957, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the sermon Loving Your Enemies at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. It may have been written, at least in part, as early as 1952.² The following famous quote has always struck a chord with me. It’s both powerful and simple; both clear and comprehensive. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”³ However, there’s another quote from this same sermon that has gripped me more dramatically. “Yes, it is love that will save our world and our civilization, love even for enemies.”⁴ How do you do that? I mean, loving the people you dislike or consider enemies seems counterintuitive to say the very least. King tackled that very question by noting you must analyze yourself for starters.⁵ Ugh. The hard look in the mirror. That’s not easy to do because it requires an inventory of both the good and the bad of yourself. In a word, accountability. Acknowledging our own faults is never easy. Secondly, King suggests what may be an even more difficult task than self-analysis. That is recognizing the good in the other person.⁶Why do I mention this history?⁷Why do I specifically quote King’s words? Bear with me…I’m going somewhere with this!

As I reflect on Martin Luther King Jr. Day⁸⁹ and the day that follows, which is now recognized as the National Day of Racial Healing,¹⁰¹¹ I note something that has occurred right under my nose without me knowing or realizing it.¹² I’ve been with the League since 1989 and have served as your executive director since August 2018. Being surprised by what you do doesn’t happen much anymore. Don’t get me wrong—I’m routinely impressed, but surprises are few and far between. This realization, or surprise if you will, is as follows: I see each of you, every day, never question the motivation of your fellow elected officials, municipal employees or your public mission. You see past hurdles and “traditional boundaries.” You’re fair and equitable. You recognize the good in each other. We all have our faults of course, but each of you have continuously shown yourselves to be caring, loving people. When your citizens walk into city hall there’s a good vibe. I know, I know. That’s a bit corny and sounds sorta New Age-y. For those of us from a somewhat more aged era, it sounds hippy-esque. Regardless, it’s true. Your city hall radiates caring for the members of your community. Think about that. By and large, 499 cities and towns and thousands of municipal officials and employees pull together for the common good of each community because you care about your community. You love your community. It’s astounding when you think about it. You work diligently together. Y’all laugh heartily together. You love your municipality together. And sometimes, yes, you even cry together. I think that’s the sort of love that Dr. King was speaking of, at least I hope it is.

As I write it is the first of February, and thus the beginning of Black History Month.¹³ It’s no secret that I’m a student of history. I love historical information, stories and data. I believe we learn from those things. My favorite president is Abraham Lincoln. I equate freedom and equality with Lincoln for obvious reasons, namely his leadership through the Civil War¹⁴¹⁵ and the Emancipation Proclamation.¹⁶ He certainly wasn’t a perfect man or president. In my estimation, however, he was the best man to be president at that time.

Here’s a story that I believe illustrates his leadership as well as “finding the good” in people as Dr. King preached. Several years before Lincoln’s election to the White House he was engaged to help litigate a case in Cincinnati with, among others, an attorney by the name of Edwin M. Stanton.¹⁷ Stanton was an immensely intelligent man and equally difficult to get along with.¹⁸ The tales of both those traits are lengthy and colorful. Much to the delight of LC I won’t delve into those matters and I’ll move on with the story. Essentially, he froze Lincoln out of any meaningful role in the case and wasn’t particularly pleasant in doing so. While debated by some historians, it has been reported that during the case Stanton described Lincoln as follows: “A long lank creature from Illinois, wearing a dirty linen duster for a coat, on the back of which the perspiration had splotched wide stains that resembled a map of the continent.”¹⁹ Not nice. Unfortunately, Stanton wasn’t nearly finished with his negative commentary about Honest Abe. Early in Lincoln’s tenure in our nation’s highest office things were not going well. There was much organizational disarray and much in the way of controversy. At some point during those first few chaotic months Stanton wrote: “No one can imagine…the painful imbecility of Lincoln.”²⁰Ouch. The president however saw beyond that negativity and recognized the talent Stanton could bring to his cabinet. Lincoln appointed Stanton Secretary of War in January of 1862. Stanton is widely credited with cleaning up the corruption in the War Department and organizing it in a manner that led the Union to victory. In short, Lincoln saw the good in Stanton. After Lincoln died Stanton noted his admiration of the man saying, “He now belongs to the ages.”²¹

According to the local controller it is “beyond time” to get to the point. I’m happy to note that I’ve already made it, at least in part. Earlier I mentioned my immensely satisfying observation of the love each of you show to your municipalities and the citizens of those municipalities. It is a grand and glorious thing to witness and you should stand proudly knowing you love your community. I can tell you the pride I have working for each of you, the members of the League, is truly immense. I’m not alone in that regard. Your League staff is not only the best in the nation, but they truly care about each other and you. They too love your community and their hometowns. Like you they find the good in every day and in every person. I’m not naïve²² and I realize that statement cannot possibly be 100 percent true because none of us are perfect. We are human beings with flaws. However, what is 100 percent true is their ability and your ability to see the flaws, strengths and good in the people and circumstances. We live in an angry world right now. People say and do things, on video no less, that are hurtful, embarrassing and damaging. During this month I believe it’s critical for us to remember Dr. King’s lessons of light defeating darkness and love conquering hate. We must see ourselves for who we are because we cannot be better if we don’t see our blemishes. We must look into the hearts and minds of those we disagree with and see the good in them. By doing so we bridge the gaps of misunderstanding and distrust. Please continue to be the strong, independent, non-judgmental local leader you have always been. Your hometown is stronger because of what you do, think and believe. And Arkansas is better as a result.²³

As always, please be local and be heard. It makes a difference.

Until next month, peace.

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And right out of the chute I’ve given the local controller a wide-open target and she hasn’t disappointed. “Shortest month of the year deserves the shortest column of the year. Your members will appreciate it.” LC-1, Moi-0!
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http://bit.ly/3X0S7Lf, https://thekingcenter.org/
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Cue the LC: “About that…why are you mentioning this history?” There’s a slight tone of challenge in her voice. Challenge accepted! LC-1, moi-1.
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established as a federal holiday in 1983, but the first national observance took place in 1986. http://bit.ly/3l5EGwt
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The initial push for a holiday honoring Dr. King took place a mere four days after his assassination in 1968. U.S. Rep. John Conyers from Michigan filed the bill but it didn’t come close to passing. Session after session, Conyers filed the bill and slowly made progress. His 15-year effort was finally victorious but only after six million signatures in support were collected. The bill passed 78-22 and President Ronald Reagan immediately signed the legislation. https://bit.ly/3JzfLeC
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In 2017 the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (Yes, that Kellogg. The Corn Flakes Kellogg.) launched the National Day of Racial Healing in conjunction with the U.S. Movement for Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation also known as TRHT. http://bit.ly/3l4pTlB
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The Kellogg Foundation was established in 1930 in the middle of the Great Depression. It is guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive in school, work and life. Pretty cool, says the controller! If you’re keeping score that’s LC-1 and Moi-2. http://bit.ly/3Jw9UXD Will Keith Kellogg, or W.K. as he liked to be called, was a fascinating cat. He was born into a large family in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1860. He was working to pay for his own clothing at age 7 and took up being a traveling salesman at age 14! He invented Corn Flakes and by the time he reached the age of 46 his accountant told him he was a millionaire. Over the last 21 years of his life Kellogg donated 66 million dollars to the foundation. He routinely attended foundation board members with one of his faithful German shepherds, all of whom were descendants of Rin-Tin-Tin! http://bit.ly/3Hwk9bR. For more on Rin-Tin-Tin click here: http://bit.ly/3wSuXMC. He was quite the movie star!
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Well, I’ll give you dear readers one guess as to the current level of consternation emanating from the local controller! “Let me see if I have this clear in my mind. You’ve now covered the life and career of W.K. Kellogg, the fortune made from the sale of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, the well-endowed Kellogg Foundation and Rin-Tin-Tin. What’s wrong with you?! Get cracking Mr. Big Deal Executive Director!” And just like that, the LC and I are all tied up at 2-2. Overtime looms.
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The foundation for Black History Month actually began in 1915 with the creation of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History by historian Carter G. Woodson. In 1926 the group declared the second week in February as “Negro History Week.” That week was chosen because it includes the birthdays of both Fredrick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976 the weeklong event became Black History Month due to the proclamation of President Gerald Ford. http://bit.ly/3YfkpTg. The LC just realized that I went to the kid’s version of National Geographic for that information. To say that she has a smile on her face would be like saying dogs bark. It’s accurate but not nearly descriptive enough to paint the proper picture. LC-3, Moi-2. OT may not be in the cards.
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The American Civil War began April 12, 1861, and ended May 26, 1865. http://bit.ly/3Jvp53k.
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Lincoln issued the proclamation on January 1, 1863. It is stored at the National Archives. http://bit.ly/40g42aO
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Lincoln issued the proclamation on January 1, 1863. It is stored at the National Archives. http://bit.ly/40g42aO
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Stanton was born in Ohio in 1814 and died in 1869. http://bit.ly/3JwnYAq
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Stanton was born in Ohio in 1814 and died in 1869. http://bit.ly/3JwnYAq
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http://bit.ly/40iyK3j
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You should hear LC. “Oh, boy.” And a loud sigh.
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I may be wrong but I think I just scored another point with the LC. That would make it 3-3 but I’m no fool. LC always wins because I’m better with her in my life and my family is, too!