Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. lived a life of profound purpose, guided by an unwavering commitment to working people. His final days, much like the years between 1956 and 1968, were devoted to organizing for fair wages and better working conditions. Today, we encourage you to reflect on his powerful words from the 1967 “Blueprint” speech to students at Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia:
“Number one in your life’s blueprint should be a deep belief in your own dignity, your own worth, and your own somebodiness.” He goes on to say, “in your life’s blueprint, must be a commitment to the eternal principles of beauty, love, and justice. Well life, for none of us, has been a crystal stair, but we must keep moving, we must keep moving. If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl, but by all means, keep moving.”
The IATSE Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee urges all members to embrace these principles as we continue Dr. King’s fight for an organized, just, and dignified workplace. While we represent many crafts, IATSE stands united in our pursuit of fairness and respect for all workers. Today, we proudly honor Dr. King’s legacy as an organizer, Civil Rights leader, and tireless advocate for unionized labor and the inherent dignity of every person. Join us in celebrating Dr. King’s life and the enduring impact of his vision.
We encourage you to use MLK Weekend as a day of service:
- For those in the Los Angeles area, consider volunteering in ongoing fire relief efforts. Sign up here: IATSE Volunteer Link
- For those outside Los Angeles who would like to contribute to fire relief efforts, we recommend donating to the Richard F. Walsh/Alfred W. Di Tolla/Harold P. Spivak Foundation. Learn more here: SoCal Fires Resources Link
The complete 1967 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Blueprint” speech can be seen HERE.