Would MLK’s Message Resonate in 2026?

We are living in interesting times. As someone who has worked in justice and community development for over 30 years, I’ve seen how conversations around justice, economics, and ethics shift with the politics of the moment. Recently, I attended the memorial of one of my mentors, Dr. John M. Perkins, who dedicated his life to justice and community development. Able Works’ mission is deeply shaped by his work, and our scholarship program honors him and his wife, Dr. Vera Mae Perkins.

As I sat in that service, a question stayed with me: Would the message of Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement hold up today?

Most of us would say yes. But that depends on which version of MLK we mean.

If we’re talking about the version we quote—the one about dreams, unity, and hope—then yes, it resonates. It’s timeless. It inspires. It reassures us that we’re on the right side of history.

But that’s not the full story.

The Version We Don’t Talk About

Toward the end of his life, MLK became harder to agree with. He spoke more directly about economic inequality—about systems that locked people out of opportunity. He challenged not just hearts, but structures.

And that shift came at a cost.

His approval ratings dropped. Critics grew louder. Some allies distanced themselves. The more specific and systemic his message became, the less comfortable it was for the broader public.

That’s not accidental. It’s a pattern.

If MLK Showed Up Today

If MLK were speaking in 2026, he wouldn’t just call for unity. He’d ask harder questions:

• Why does where you start still determine where you finish?

• Why do some communities have consistent access to opportunity while others do not?

• Why are we more comfortable talking about individual success than collective responsibility?

And maybe most challenging of all:

Are we willing to address the systems that create inequality—or do we prefer solutions that feel good while leaving those systems intact?

Those weren’t easy questions then. They wouldn’t be now.

An Older Voice Saying the Same Thing

Long before MLK, the Old Testament prophet Amos said:

“Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.” — Amos 5:24

That’s not soft language. It’s not a suggestion—it’s a demand. Justice, in that framing, isn’t occasional or symbolic. It’s constant. Relentless. Systemic. And if we’re honest, that’s the part that still unsettles us.

A “never-failing stream” doesn’t leave room for selective engagement. It doesn’t allow us to opt in when it’s convenient and opt out when it’s costly.

The Tension We Live In

We live in a moment where people care deeply about justice, fairness, and opportunity. You see it in movements, in conversations, and in the way younger generations think about their future.

At the same time, there’s real hesitancy to embrace the level of change required to make those values real.

We celebrate progress—but resist disruption.
We want solutions—but prefer them to be quick, clean, and noncontroversial.

But the kind of change MLK—and even Amos—pointed to has never worked that way.

Resonance vs. Response

So yes—his message would resonate. But resonance isn’t the same as response.

It’s one thing to be inspired by a quote. It’s another to wrestle with what that quote requires of us.

• Would we invest differently?

• Would we rethink opportunity—not just as something individuals earn, but as something systems shape?

• Would we stay engaged when the conversation moves from inspiration to accountability?

Those are harder questions. And they matter more.

Why This Still Matters

At Able Works, we work with young people who are doing everything they’ve been told to do—showing up, working hard, trying to build a future—and still encountering barriers that have nothing to do with effort. That’s where this conversation becomes real.

If opportunity isn’t evenly distributed, outcomes won’t be either.

And if we’re serious about changing outcomes, we have to look upstream—at the systems, access points, and investments that shape what’s possible in the first place.

Final Thought

MLK’s message would resonate in 2026—but it wouldn’t sit quietly. It would challenge assumptions. Create tension. Force conversations many of us would rather avoid.

And maybe that’s the point.

The question isn’t whether we agree with MLK in theory. It’s whether we’re willing to let justice actually roll—consistently, persistently, and in ways that reshape more than just our words.

That’s where resonance becomes response.

And that’s where real change begins.

We Must Address Income Inequality, Pt. 2

 All Work is Valuable

It is a fundamental tenet of America that we reward hard work. For many years, income inequality was in check in the United States by guardrails placed upon the system by fair labor laws, labor unions, and a progressive tax system. People were able to make a living whether they started out with much money or not. These policies produced a significant boom in the economy from the 1940s to the late 1970s.

We must ensure that all people have access to the resources they need to be successful, including a good education or vocational opportunities. Able Works asserts that some of our greatest minds are currently living in poverty or on the brink of it due to financial hardship. We cannot allow brilliant young minds to fail to see a college campus because they can't afford it. At the same time, we cannot allow a college degree to be a prerequisite for success. The best way that we can ensure equal opportunities is by addressing our income inequality problem and providing more paths to success. If everyone has the same opportunity to make as much money as they want, America will continue being the land of opportunity where dreams can come true.

The Case for A Living Wage

While it may be the goal of an ideal capitalist society, where every person is paid the fair market value for their work, we must take into account that some people simply cannot do certain jobs because of physical or mental limitations. For these people, working 40+ hours at minimum wage can be downright impossible and is not enough to cover basic costs.

Part of the problem with income inequality is the truth that certain jobs, such as those within the fast-food industry, require unskilled labor and offer wages far below what most Americans need to live decently. While these jobs can be fulfilling and rewarding for people who enjoy them, they simply do not provide a living wage in today's economy. It’s true that they provide a necessary experience for entry-level workers, students, or retirees looking for extra income, for most, there isn’t a clear pathway to parley these jobs into a viable career. For many there simply aren't many options beyond these jobs given the loss of semi-skilled jobs in manufacturing or other careers resulting in limited pathways for a large swath of the economy. Further exasperating the problem, automation is a serious risk to low-skill jobs. Some argue that the current labor shortage is already pushing up incomes for entry-level jobs, which is partially true. I see this as a temporary situation based on the Covid-19 pandemic and the trends will reverse as the pandemic ends. The first step to solving this issue is to ensure that every job is compensated fairly, a living wage based on real economic realities, for what it provides to workers and companies alike. Yes, we will likely pay more for the goods and services we enjoy, but the result is better economic conditions for families and individuals. 

Failing to Fix Income Inequality Will Destroy Our Democracy

Failing to address income inequality in the United States will not only hurt America's economy but could also destroy our democracy itself. I believe this is at the core of the recent insurrection. The reason democracies work so well is that every person has an equal voice and their votes count just as much as anyone else's. If we allow people who can afford to lobby our politicians for economic policy the system will be directed by the wealthy and powerful. Policies like term limits for politicians the restriction of lobbying and publically funding elections would go a long way to helping the problem and restoring faith in American democracy.

If income inequality isn’t addressed in a meaningful way, more and more of America's wealth will end up in the hands of a few mega-corporations and individuals, effectively creating an oligarchical society. It will give these interests far too much power in our society. I'm not arguing for communism or extreme socialism. Those systems have fatal flaws. I am arguing for compassionate capitalism, where the core outcome is that, as the saying goes, "a rising tide raises all boats". This will require hard work from everyone and sacrifice for some. The current civic mood, contrary to past generations, is based on individualistic success without care for the common good. The vision of the Judeo-Christian scripture is based on the concept of shalom for a society, where none lack and everyone has a place to play in the economy.

 Conclusion: We Must Create an Economy for Everyone

As President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said: "The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have little."

Unchecked, Income inequality is baked into the very DNA of oppressive capitalism. A capitalist society depends on low-wage workers to drive production. However, in American capitalism, there was always a contract with the worker. Hard work would pay for future generations. However, the American Dream is dependent on a pathway for all to have a pathway to a bright future. Seeing a pathway, a future, is the prime motivating factor for upward economic progress. It has been proven over and over again in the generations of immigrants who have found their way to our borders and found a place in our economy. However as time has progressed, our version of capitalism has evolved, instead of allowing the wealth to be concentrated into the hands of a few while many others are unable to find success. We must find ways to level the playing field for all who want to work hard through education and vocational career paths. If we don't I fear we may lose the essence of our democracy and the January 6th insurrection will be just a precursor to something worse

We Must Address Income Inequality in the US, Pt 1

 I, like many, was shocked when I saw the Capital insurrection on January 6th. Looking behind the anger and discontent, there is a group of American citizens who feel left out by the current economic situation. Controlled by media forces, these people have succumbed to the usual populist tropes, blaming the immigrant for the problems, failing to look at the systemic economic forces in play. Given these events, income inequality is perhaps the most relevant issue in the United States at this time.

Since the 2008 financial crisis, income inequality has been on a steady climb. In 1970, America's top 1% earned about 9% of all national income. Today that number is almost 20%. Meanwhile, less than half of Americans own stocks or mutual funds outside of their retirement accounts. Profits of large corporations are at record highs, yet the people who actually do the work of these companies within the United States receive little to none of that wealth. Many of our politicians refuse to speak about this issue and often give lip service to "wealth creators" (those who own capital) while ignoring the workers (who create value).

We must address this issue through higher wages, better working conditions, and more equitable distribution of profits. On a basic level, Americans deserve to have livable wages for their work. Nobody who works 40 hours or more per week should have to live in poverty. Workers in the United States (who are often members of unions) receive high wages, benefits, and retirement packages because they have organized to demand these things. If we want this trend of compensation and outrage to change, we must advocate and support the working person, creating pathways to full participation in the economy.

Are the Rich are Getting Richer and The Poor Poorer?

It is a standard bit of rhetoric that the wealthy are getting wealthier while the poor are getting poorer. This has proven to be true in recent decades, with income inequality on the rise since 2008. According to University of California Berkeley Professor Emmanuel Saez, cited by MarketWatch, "From 2009-2012 aggregate real incomes ... have increased by 4.6% ... but the gains have been very uneven as illustrated by the fact that while total real incomes of the bottom 99% have increased by 0.8%, those of the top 1% have increased a spectacular 41.8%." This is an issue that must be addressed to ensure a just and equitable society where all citizens can realize their potential.

It seems like a simple question: if someone works hard for their money, and creates wealth, shouldn't they be fairly compensated? Why shouldn't those who work be rewarded too? In a capitalist society, one that prides itself on rewarding hard work and initiative, these are critical questions to ask. However, If we fail to address income inequality, we leave many of our citizens unable to find success in the system. I believe in capitalism. I'm not anti-wealth. But it is incumbent on the wealthy to center the needs of the workers who are helping them acquire wealth. COVID-19 has made the situation even worse. While those at the top continue to benefit, those at the bottom see their opportunities diminish and their pay stagnate.

The recent events in Capital have brought much-needed attention to income inequality and its role in the United States. Though many blame immigrants for this issue, it is much more systemic than that. While middle and working-class wages stagnate, the rich continue to grow richer. Unless we, through the voluntary reinvestment in the worker or a more aggressive and progressive tax system, will see more protests and violence in response. The government and the market must take action to ensure that all citizens have equal opportunities for success in their lives. Failure to do so may result in the implosion of the freedoms and stability that have made our county strong.

Economics, Justice and Another Blog

After a year of COVID, protests for racial equity, and violent insurrections I feel compelled to write my thoughts about the intersection of justice, economics, ethics, and power. I am a student of theology, social science, economic justice, and ethics, but for this blog, I will also apply my life experience as the son of a working-class father and mother, and a 30 year veteran in the community development sector. I do not consider myself a high-brow academic thinker; rather, I’m a practitioner in community development work, residing and working in distressed communities grappling with complex issues such as post-industrial economic stagnation. This gives me first-hand experience living in the tension.

Before you start reading, I would like to acknowledge the following (obvious) fact: not everyone agrees with me, I am not a master of all knowledge, and I welcome corrections and constructive debate. I will be writing in a somewhat stream of consciousness in the hopes that you will see my heart, and I hope it will provoke you to think, pray, and dialogue. The context of my musings will be the work we do at Able Works, helping youth and young adults throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Valley of California obtain the assets, skills, and education for self-determination and economic freedom.

I hesitate to announce a new blog. It's been done before. Yet I have been inspired by the many authors, particularly the ones who hail from marginalized communities, who have contributed to justice discussion over several decades. In reading, studying, and learning from justice-oriented academics, theologians, organizers, authors, professors... I have found a lot of inspiration in how justice is defined and articulated by them, yet no one source can adequately cover justice. Perhaps this middle-aged white man will have something to offer to the conversation.

In the end, my life has been about catalyzing justice in power-deprived communities like the hillsides of Tijuana, the fields of the Central Valley, and the streets of the Bay. In the end, justice is multi-faceted. Though justice may be served when the scales are balanced, justice is about fairness, equity, impartiality, righteousness. Justice means that everyone has an equal opportunity to live a good life. Justice means that people should treat each other as they would like to be treated themselves. Justice is about faithfulness. justice is not an abstract concept; justice happens every day by people of all cultures, races, genders, classes, abilities/disabilities, sexual orientation, educational levels throughout the world. Justice is not a commodity. Justice is everyone's responsibility. Justice can only happen through relationships that value restoring brokenness and harm done. Justice requires humility. Justice requires love. Justice shall overcome!