Martin Luther King III reflects on legacy, love and new beginnings

Martin Luther King III is exploring new ways to understand legacy and success.

“Life should be a legacy of love,” the oldest son of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King told TribLive. “My father talked about agape love … that love that is totally unselfish and seeks nothing in return. If we can reflect that type of love, we can dramatically change the nation and the world.”

King, a global human rights activist and author, posed the following questions: “How do I deposit more love in the world? How do I deposit something that uplifts and not suppresses? And most importantly, how do I create the climate for everyone to be treated with dignity and respect?”

King’s reflections came days before Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed Monday, and follow the Tuesday release of his book, “What Is My Legacy?: Realizing a New Dream of Connection, Love, and Fulfillment,” co-authored with his wife, Arndrea Waters King, and Marc and Craig Kielburger.

Waters King could not help but highlight the coincidence of Martin Luther King Jr. Day falling on the same day as the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump. She described the day as “a battle for the soul of our nation.”

Drawing on Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail,” the Kings emphasize moral responsibility.

They also often share the parable of two wolves, where a girl tells her grandmother about a battle inside her between a wolf full of hate and division and another full of love, peace and justice. The grandmother responds, “The wolf you feed will win.”

“Each of us has to decide which wolf we will feed. We can feed it peace, justice, love, nobleness and equity. That is our power every day,” Waters King said.

The book is part of Realizing the Dream, a five-year initiative by the Kings’ nonprofit to inspire 100 million hours of service by Martin Luther King Jr.’s 100th birthday in 2029.

They realized that, similar to the Civil Rights Movement, there are movements today in need of encouragement. Waters King said that during the civil rights movement, prayer services and mass meetings were held nightly to provide instruction, fortify spirits and empower people.

“Legacy, the way we are looking at it, is something you create every day,” King said. “It doesn’t have to be monumental or massive. It can be very small.”

The book features personal stories from individuals including Yara Shahidi, Julia Roberts and Dan Rather.

“I tell my story as a youngster, what my life was like and what my father and mother were doing every day. I also found myself working to help realize the dream,” said King, 67. “There is power in the little and small things we do every day that help create a better nation and world. Everyone has a legacy, and it is about how you choose to frame it, not allowing someone else to define who you become.”

“Everyone we invited to share their stories is committed to the collective movement forward,” said Waters King, president of the Drum Major Institute, a nonprofit whose mission is to carry on the work and vision of Martin Luther King Jr. “I think it was important for young people — and all of us — to hear these stories and see how our legacies connect with the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”

Yolanda Renee King, 16, the only grandchild of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, represents the next generation of the family legacy.

“It was important for that generation to find their stories and understand that young people have a legacy. The younger you start, the further we all can go as a community,” Waters King said.

They also wanted to explore how the King legacy impacted those who were not present during the civil rights movement, as well as perspectives from people like Rather, who was there.

“I tell my story about marrying into the King family and legacy. It was important to include stories like that so people could feel connected, build community and see their essential role in doing so,” Waters King said.

They hope sharing stories and testimonies will bring freedom, healing and inspiration to others.

“It unburdens someone going through challenges,” Waters King said. “Our communities have been ravaged by violence. I talk about the divorce of my parents. … Maybe a boy in Chicago whose father was shot down never considered a connection to Martin Luther King Jr. The reasons may differ, but the experience of losing a parent is the same.”

Reflecting on her husband’s journey, Waters King believes Martin Luther King Jr. would be happy.

“I think he would be immensely proud of the man Martin has become and the story he shares in this book, much of which he has never shared before,” she said. “He would be proud to see him finding his place, standing in his purpose and continuing to expand the community.”

King added he believes his father also would be proud of his granddaughter and how she chooses to navigate complex issues and help build beloved communities.

The Kings are faithful Christians and once visited the Dalai Lama, who wrote the foreword for the book.

“We asked him about 100 questions, and his answer always came back to, ‘We are one,’ ” King said. “When humanity realizes that, it is the level of complementing and elevating, it creates a higher energy.

“We always want to put positive energy into the universe because when you deposit positive energy, you get positive energy back.

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