Omaha City Councilman Ben Gray addresses the crowd during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Commemoration at UNMC on Monday. (Andrew E. Nelson, UNMC public relations) |
These qualities — which Dr. King discussed in sermons contained in a book titled “Strength To Love” — are tough minds, tender hearts and decisive judgment.
“The nation, state and city face major issues,” said Gray, as he delivered the medical center’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorative address. “It cannot be business as usual.”
In his speech that also was titled, “Strength to Love,” Gray said people show tough minds when they seek truth on their own rather than simply accepting what they are told by others.
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Decisive judgment is the ability to make tough decisions on crucial issues in a firm manner that affirms and supports that humanity, he said.
President Barack Obama displayed these traits as he led recent efforts to reform health care, which included the U.S. Senate’s passage of a bill that will help provide coverage for the 47 million Americans who currently lack health insurance.
Obama’s leadership helped the country move toward providing for those who have the least, Gray said.
“That’s what we need to be about,” he said.
City leaders will need to show similar qualities as they face a major budget crunch, crumbling streets and shortages within key city agencies.
Gray speaks with Andrew Jameton, Ph.D., right, and another audience member after the city councilman delivered the his Martin Luther King Jr. Day address at UNMC. (Andrew E. Nelson, UNMC public Relations) |
But the good news, Gray said, is that Omahans have what it takes to embody the tough minds, tender hearts and decisive judgment of which Dr. King spoke.
“If we let people know what the circumstances are, this is a community that will rise up and do what needs to be done,” he said.