MLK Jr. was a transformative figure for a lot of reasons, but particularly relevant to the discourse today is his refusal to reject America and divide Americans. MLK Jr.'s demand, as articulated in his most famous speech, was that the United States live up the ideals set forth in its founding documents. In doing so, he rejected a lot of voices who insisted that he reject America. That he adopt the idea that America and those founding documents are themselves corrupt because of the flaws of the founders and how they were being executed. That instead he advocate for anger and revenge as the only path to justice. That fight still continues today. There are many loud voices today that insist the only path forward is to reject the very ideals that make America what it is. That the only solution is to divide people. Those voices now exist on both the left and right. The only way to preserve American exceptionalism is to reject those voices. To seek out people who want America to live up its ideals, not reject them.