January 19 serves as a day to reflect, honor, learn and grow. It's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which falls right around the leader's birthday – Jan. 15, 1929.
As we look back at the very impactful life he lived and learn about how we can help in the fight for racial justice, Bills players shared what MLK means to them.
"I think his work inspired me the most because he knew his power," left tackle Dion Dawkins said. "He knew the type of person he was, and he knew the influence he had and he stood on that."
"Just his fight, no matter who was behind him or who believed him or supported him, he kept going and pushed for what he truly believed in," wide receiver Tyrell Shavers said of Dr. King. "No matter who was against him, he knew that he had a good support system, and he would eventually get people to join."
Dr. King inspires defensive tackle DeWayne Carter because of how he always fought for what was right.
"He inspires me because of his strength and conviction to fight for what is right, as well as his ability to bring people together by both his words and his actions," Carter said.
Dr. King led a movement that changed the world for better. He believed African Americans deserved legal equality. Beginning in the late 1950s and going through the late 1960s, Dr. King championed a nonviolent movement, backed by inspiration from his Christian faith and the peaceful teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, to seek out racial equity and economic justice in a time where injustices reigned due to Jim Crow laws.
Dr. King organized many peaceful protests that were recognized world-wide for how they influenced the fight for equity. In 1963, Dr. King helped lead the March on Jobs and Freedom, also known as the "March on Washington" where more than 250,000 people gathered to support the cause and hear his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. He later earned Time Magazine's "Man of the Year" due to his power in the civil rights fight.
As Bills players reflect on all he did for our country, they hope people don't let a day like this just pass by.
"I just hope people will just look back and learn the history of what he did," running back Ray Davis said. "Instead of just saying, 'Happy MLK day' … I think knowing the true history of what he believed in and the change that he wanted to make is important."
"It just reminds everybody that everybody's equal," cornerback and return specialist Brandon Codrington said. "It doesn't matter if you're Black, white, yellow, orange, brown, everybody's the same at the end of the day … I hope that we continue to move in a progressive matter in a positive way."
Codrington attended college at an HBCU (Historically Black College or University). His grandfather, father and mother all attended HBCUs and thought it was important that he continued the tradition. Codrington went to North Carolina Central due to their strong criminal justice program. He said going to an HBCU taught him more about his culture and brought awareness to the fight for racial justice.
"I was able to learn more about my culture, where I come from and certain things that we might not be taught at a PWI (predominantly white institution)," Codrington said. "I honestly think it was great, just being around a bunch of like-minded individuals … I feel like that helped me be more diverse and talk to everyone."
Codrington believes that it's important to get outside of your comfort zone and talk to people you normally wouldn't. He was inspired to do so because of how Dr. King lived a life outside of comfort. Codrington thinks if more people did so, we would learn we are a lot more alike than we are different.
"I think the biggest thing is getting to know the people in your community, having conversations with someone you wouldn't normally have a conversation with," Codrington shared. "It can be as little as just walking past somebody on the street, saying, 'Hey, how are you doing?' or 'Have a good day.' … I think that's the biggest issue. Have conversations that can help lead, help change things, getting comfortable with being uncomfortable with people."
To create change Dr. King had to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. He did this by using the power of words, protests, grassroots organizing and more. Dr. King's words to many were poetic and drew people in by droves to join the fight for racial equity and economic justice.
In addition to his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, Dr. King spear-headed several other things that changed the hearts of so many. In 1964, at the age of 35, Dr. King became one of the youngest people to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
"There are a lot of lessons that young activists, and really everyone can learn from Dr. King," Carter said. "But as I've gotten older one of the main things that sticks out to me is how powerful your words can be. The power of the tongue is real, and when it is paired with actions that match it is a very powerful thing."
Also in that year, with the help of Dr. King's work, Congress passed the landmark Civil Rights Act that made it illegal to discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin, banned segregation in public spaces and strengthened voting rights.
Today is about honoring the past and the incredible work that Dr. King did, as well as continuing the fight to live in a world where equality reigns.
"I would just say continue to learn from the things that that we've seen in this country," Shavers said. "And then just continue to respect others, no matter what."
Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 at the young age of 39. Dawkins believes it's important to keep Dr. King's legacy alive.
"Don't let the day go by without thinking, putting up a prayer or connecting with the past," Dawkins said. "The past will only disappear if you don't keep it relevant in the future."
