Today the United States honors the life of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
1968 seems so long ago. I was six years old when Dr. King was murdered. Some of you may not have been born. It doesn’t matter because his message is timeless.
These days we talk about ”sticky” messages in marketing and branding. How do you rise above the noise of the marketplace and be memorable (sticky)? How did he manage to get our attention without Fox News, technology and Social Media? After all, there were no Malcolm Gladwell books to help.
I started to think about Dr. King and what he may do if he were still alive? How would he be communicating his vision, leadership, compassion and humility in today’s world? What did he do all those years ago to make sure his message was sticky?
Would Dr. King spread his message of hope, brotherhood and equality on his website? Would he tune into Joel Osteen or TED podcasts while at the gym? Would he be writing his speeches on his laptop with earbuds listening to Beyonce or U-2? Would he have gotten into the bitter political attacks and war of words targeting Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton? Would he watch reality TV or prefer to share motivational conversations with Tony Robbins? Would Dr. King Tweet about a new day of hope that awaits us? Would he blog about peace in the Middle East?
Would Martin Luther King, Jr. be involved in the raucous debate on health care or same-sex marriage? What message of hope could he send to Haiti? What role would he have played on September 11, 2001? Would he be a regular on Oprah or Saturday Night Live? Would he make an occasional visit to a Toastmasters meeting to coach wanna-be public speakers on the secrets to his “I Have a Dream” speech?
Dr. King said, “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” Dr. King has been gone for 42 years, but you and I are here. Let’s honor his life and stick with love.
(Photo Credit: KcO5cheer)
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