Martin Luther King, Jr.

THE CITY OF BOSTON, like many municipalities in the Commonwealth, has a longstanding obligation to restore justice to the marginalized. Whether it’s due to the historic busing conflicts, housing discrimination and displacement, or discriminatory policing actions, marginalized residents in Boston have long been hopeful for a truth-telling about the history of injustice. They have also demanded action towards restoring justice to communities historically harmed by discrimination and injustice. 

Last month’s apology by Mayor Wu to Willie Bennett, the Bennett family, and Alan Swanson on behalf of the city’s 1989 racist conduct during the Stuart murder investigation is a shining example of steps toward restorative justice.

To truly rebuild the house of justice, an inclusive framework for society that allows those who have been harmed to be made whole, there must be action. On this day that we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. we should be inspired to action by his words: “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” 

Sacrifice and struggles will help us rebuild the house of justice in the hearts and minds of the people. 

When we live in a world where democracy is under attack, books are being banned, and teaching the history of what Dr. King and so many others were struggling to change is considered “indoctrination,” we must rebuild justice in the hearts and minds of the people. Racial disparities in incarceration, educational attainment, health, and wealth come out of a long history of disinvestment and discrimination that require us to continue to tell the truth about our collective history so that we can rebuild the house of justice in the hearts and minds of the people.      

Unfortunately, some in today’s society feel as if the fight for justice is unnecessary, of another time in the past, or an outdated ideology, perhaps only relevant during King’s time or decades prior. Nevertheless, we must ensure that people know that poverty is a reality in one of the most expensive cities in the nation, that structural racism is real in good old liberal Massachusetts, and that the patriarchy still exists in our Commonwealth.

As a civil rights advocate, faith leader, and attorney, I have the privilege of working with leaders and community members to build coalitions to rebuild the house of justice. Our collective actions have been more than just a job, pro bono endeavor, or volunteer effort, and extend well beyond the tangible manifestations of our professional obligations. Our biggest challenge often is to change the hearts and minds of the people. In many ways we walk in King’s shadow and his example of bringing hearts and minds — not just in America, but around the world — with him on his crusades for anti-discrimination, anti-poverty, and, ultimately, justice. 

If we are called to this work and mission to rebuild the house of justice we must continue to put our shoulders to the wheel, not only in our professional lives, but in our personal lives. We must be a part of movements that are strengthening the liberatory ecosystem so that we can all be free, and we must stand on our morals and do what is right on behalf of those in our community who have been historically wronged. 

This work seems daunting, especially for those of us who are a little more seasoned and feel as if the more victories we’ve won, the more challenges arise. At times those challenges may seem insurmountable, victory unattainable, and justice incomprehensible, even impossible.

King’s movement assuredly inspires us, as do the words of St. Francis of Assisi, who implored us to “start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” 

Rahsaan Hall is president & CEO of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts.