“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.”
– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,
(Nobel Peace Prize recipient / civil rights leader / minister)
I had the distinct pleasure of being a guest speaker in an event hosted and organized by Xerox‘s Black Women’s Leadership Council. One of the topics of discussion was an analysis of the impact of Dr. King’s legacy and its effects on today’s global technology landscape. King often coupled his positivity about the development and progress technology can bring, with the admonition that we must continue to work on ourselves. He theorized that in order for humans to optimize their benefits from these technological innovations, we must ALSO focus on developing our capacity for high moral values, ethical excellence, and a deeper spiritual understanding.
The inauguration of Donald Trump coinciding with the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy presented a stark irony and a moment of deep reflection. As we honor Dr. King’s vision of equality and justice, we also confront the reality of policies aimed at dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives—efforts that threaten the progress we’ve fought so hard to achieve. Efforts that represent a regression in the development of humankind. This juxtaposition serves as a reminder that civil rights advancements are not guaranteed and can be undone without vigilance and action. However, we must remain steadfast and intentional in driving inclusion, ensuring that corporations and tech companies continue to innovate and create solutions that serve ALL of humanity, not just a privileged few. We must focus on continuous improvement of the entire human race and to keep bending that “moral arc of the universe towards justice”! The pursuit of justice and equity is a responsibility we all share—let’s rise to the challenge.
Thank you Renée J. Carter, Brenda Joseph, Duva Delgado, and all of the session attendees, for the opportunity to participate and for your ongoing commitment to Purpose, Principles, Power, and Passion to drive humanity upward and onward!
