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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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Transforming Unjust Systems: MLK Day 2023

Martin Luther King Day, the only federal holiday designated as a day of service, is observed on the third Monday of January, near his birth date of January 15. It is a time to not only reflect on his life and legacy but also to find ways to further his work toward racial and economic justice. Fifty-five years after his death, Dr. King’s dream has yet to come true. Although progress has been made in many areas, there is still much work to be done.

January 13, 2023

man in robe statue during daytime

If he were still alive today, the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. would be celebrating his 94th birthday. One can only imagine the amazing work he would have accomplished had his life not been cut short by an assassin in 1968.

Martin Luther King Day, the only federal holiday designated as a day of service, is observed on the third Monday of January, near his birth date of January 15. It is a time to not only reflect on his life and legacy but also to find ways to further his work toward racial and economic justice. Fifty-five years after his death, Dr. King’s dream has yet to come true. Although progress has been made in many areas, there is still much work to be done.

Image courtesy of Pixabay

It is fitting, then, that the King Center’s theme for MLK Day 2023 is “It Starts With Me: Cultivating a Beloved Community Mindset To Transform Unjust Systems”.

At Crisis Assistance Ministry, the results of those unjust systems are evident daily. We recognize it is no accident that more than 8 out of 10 people seeking assistance here identify as Black or African-American. While each individual’s situation is unique, there are trends and patterns that stem directly from our nation’s policy-induced racial segregation and systemic racism.

Business Insider recently released 25 charts illustrating systemic racism in the United States. The data shows that on every measure, from representation in high-paying jobs and elected office, to home ownership, health, and wealth, Black Americans experience disproportionately negative outcomes compared to white Americans.

Here in Charlotte, as well as all across the country, the disparities are clear. According to Prosperity Now’s Scorecard, more than 12% of Black families have income below the federal poverty level, while less than 4% of white families do. Furthermore, 33% of Black households in Mecklenburg County have zero net worth compared to 12% of white ones. Homeownership is the greatest asset for most families, so it is significant that in our community, 69% of white families are homeowners while only 41% of Black families are.

Confronting the deeply interwoven fallout from our nation’s troubled history is painful but necessary. We must examine everything, from redlining to predatory lending to our justice system and beyond, to get at the root of our persistent inequities.

Righting these wrongs is at the heart of the dream Dr. King spoke of in his iconic speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963.

“So even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

Transforming these unjust systems will take time, determination, and collective action, but together we can one day achieve Dr. King’s dream at last.

Image courtesy of Flossmoor.org

Looking for ways to observe MLK Day? The Harvey B. Gantt Center in partnership with the Levine Museum for the New South will present a day-long celebration with activities for the whole family on Monday, January 16: https://www.ganttcenter.org/calendar/mlk-day-2023/

Did you know Martin Luther King’s name was originally Michael? Learn that and other interesting facts about the remarkable man here: https://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-martin-luther-king-jr

Filed Under: Advocacy Tagged With: King Center, Martin Luther King, MLK Day, MLK Day 2023

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Crisis Assistance Ministry

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    500-A Spratt St.
    Charlotte, NC 28206
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We've got a special shout out to @championhouseofcare and @beyoubegreatnonprofit for their tireless commitment to helping the seniors displaced from Magnolia Apartments since Christmas Day. @CrisisAssistMin is proud to be working alongside these passionate grassroots organizations and @housingcollab_ to help craft individual plans to get our neighbors back into stable housing while ensuring their basic needs continue to be met.

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These community-minded Deltas celebrated Founder's Day last week by inspecting and preparing donated goods for Free Store shoppers. With their help, families shopping free of charge will find essentials to help them live with dignity this week.

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The King Center's theme for MLK Day 2023 is "It Start's With Me: Cultivating A Beloved Community Mindset to Transform Unjust Systems." Fifty-five years after his death, we still see the impacts of unjust systems every day at Crisis Assistance Ministry.  Read more in this weekend's blog (link in bio)

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Crisis Assistance Ministry will be closed on Monday, January 16 in observance of  Martin Luther King Day. The office will be closed to all customers, volunteers, staff, and donors. Typical hours resume on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

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Families in Charlotte, and across the country, are struggling to make ends meet. Inflation has outpaced wage growth. People are working harder than ever but still falling behind on rent and utilities. People need more money. But could we use policy to get more money into the hands of those who need it the most? This week's blog takes a look at the potential for Guaranteed Basic Income here in the Queen City. (Link in bio)
📷 courtesy of @stocktondemo

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Just one more day before we're back to "normal." So, @CrisisAssistMin is closed January 2, 2023,  and will return to typical business hours tomorrow, January 3.
(Financial assistance 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Free Store by appointment 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Donation drop off 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

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Wishing you hope, warmth, & light in the new year and beyond.
(P.S. @crisisassistmin will be closed tomorrow, January 2, and reopen with typical hours on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.)

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"Everybody wants to have that light shine."
Nikki shares what the holidays mean to her family as we reach the end of the year.  Looking back, she's grateful for the help of the community to get her through a financial crisis and back on her feet moving toward economic mobility.
Thousands more families will seek that same kind of help -- to stay safely housed, to keep utilities flowing, to provide clothing and household goods, and to rebuild financial stability -- in 2023.
Visit our quick links to learn more and to make a tax-deductible year-end gift to help more of our neighbors in the coming year.
Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Crisis Assistance Ministry wishes the hope, warmth, and light of home to all those who celebrate Kwanzaa this week.

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