Dr. Quincy Reflects on Dr. King’s Impact in NJ

January 21, 2025

Published on nj.com January 20, 2025

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. profoundly championed a consequential and historically unprecedented social change movement against what he referred to as the “Triple Evils” of Racism, Poverty, and War-Violence.

The hallmark of King’s life work was imagining, envisioning, and indeed “dreaming” of a “World House” in which the odyssey of a “Beloved Community” evolves as a citadel of truth, peace, justice, equity, and equality.

Six foundational principles undergird King’s nonviolent philosophy. These principles of Kingian Nonviolence, intended for “courageous people,” are rooted in the writings of Henry David Thoreau, Mohandas K. Gandhi, Biblical teachings, and other influencers.

Dr. King enlightened New Jerseyans about the “Poor People’s Campaign” during his March 27, 1968, speech at the historic Metropolitan A.M.E. Church in Jersey City.

He recognized that we are all interconnected. From Paterson to Camden, Newark to Bergen County, our people of the South Shore, newcomers and those with linkages to colonial heritage, decedents of the great indigenous Lenape people, and yes, those harnessed by the legacy of enslavement. We New Jerseyans have a calling to serve. We are all striving toward freedom, not for ourselves only, but for the greater societal well-being.

In New Jersey, Dr. King challenged us to join a pilgrimage against the “triple evils,” witnessing both suffering and faith and offering a “Gift of Love.” All New Jerseyans can campaign against racism, poverty, violence, and all forms of detrimental treatment of our fellow citizens. Our stride is indeed toward freedom. The spirit of the King National Holiday is for us all to “try to help somebody, to love somebody,” in the words of Dr. King himself, and reach the elusive promised land.

In his last book, “Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?” King offers a “Testament of Hope.”

I stand with Dr. King’s dream and a testament to the greatness of the people of our state – our citizens who strive for the fruits of our interconnected Garden State. On the King National Holiday, we remember the courageous leadership of many in New Jersey who dared to “stride toward freedom.” On behalf of our richly deserving people, let’s walk together, worship together, and stride toward community building in our Jersey homeland. The journey starts with you!

Ronald L. Quincy is the former executive director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta, Georgia and a Professor of Professional Practice at Rutgers New Brunswick’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy.

Recent Posts

New Briefs: Rutgers Child Care Research Collaborative

The Rutgers Child Care Research Collaborative has released two new research briefs by Heldrich Center for Workforce Development researchers. New Jersey’s Childcare Workforce: An Examination of Internet Job Postings from October 2023, by Liana Lin, Brittney Donovan,...

Bhuyan Receives Leadership Excellence Award

  Soumitra Bhuyan, Executive Director of Health Administration Programs and Associate Professor at Rutgers University-New Brunswick’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, is the recipient of a National Leadership Excellence Award. Jointly...

Heldrich Survey: Inflation, Job Security Concern Workers

Half of U.S. Workers are Not Confident in the Federal Government’s Ability to Boost the Economy Deep concerns about inflation and the labor market are widespread throughout the country as Republicans take control of the White House and Congress — even amid low...

Bhuyan and Samuel Explore Generative AI Use in Healthcare

Generative Artificial Intelligence Use in Healthcare: Opportunities for Clinical Excellence and Administrative Efficiency Abstract Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) has transformative potential in healthcare to enhance patient care, personalize treatment...

NJSPL Report: Higher Education in New Jersey – A Policy Review

By Angie Nga Le, Stuart Shapiro, and Elizabeth Cooner New Jersey’s state higher education plan, “Where Opportunity Meets Innovation – A Student-Centered Vision for New Jersey Higher Education” (the Plan), was introduced in 2019. It envisions an ecosystem where every...

Upcoming Events

Event Series CAREERS

Virtual Career Drop-ins

Virtual

Stop by virtually on Mondays (except for holidays) beginning February 3 through April 28 between 11 am and 1 pm to ask a quick (15 min) career-related question of Bloustein […]

Event Series Research Seminar

Bloustein Research Seminar Series: Matt Mleczko

Bloustein School, Civic Square Building 33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, United States

Presented by Matt Mleczko This venue will enable our faculty to share research, build community, and extend our networks. Pizza will be served. Bloustein faculty, advanced PhD students, and external […]