Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 20, 2025

Dear All,

Today, as we look to the future, inaugurating the next President of the United States, we also look to the past for guidance and wisdom to bring light to a divided world. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an opportunity to reflect not only on his profound contributions to the civil rights movement, but also on his vision of a just, peaceful, and united world. Dr. King’s unwavering commitment to equality, nonviolence, and love continues to inspire us to work toward a more harmonious and inclusive society.

The peace that Dr. King espoused was not a weak, passive one, but an active, dynamic force. It was not simply the absence of violence, but the presence of justice, fairness, and understanding, the courage to confront hatred with love, and the humility to seek common ground even when the path forward seems unclear.

In one of his most powerful sermons, Dr. King insisted that we must learn to live together or “perish together as fools." This simple yet profound statement calls us to recognize that the well-being of one is inextricably linked to the well-being of all and that the struggle for equality and peace is a collective endeavor grounded in the strength of community. If we take inspiration from Dr. King’s work, let it be to work toward the greater good.

At Vassar, we embody varying backgrounds, faiths, and ideas. These differences make us stronger, but also require us to be intentional in building connections. Much work lies ahead. Dr. King reminded us, peace is not achieved by ignoring our differences; it is achieved by embracing them, bridging them, and working together despite them. This work is the work of a lifetime. It is the work that Dr. King called us to do.

Elizabeth H. Bradley, President
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
@EHBVassar