Arndrea Waters King and Yolanda Renee King
In the age of social media, we can clearly see there is a yearning by people, particularly young people, to stand out and make their mark. This yearning is not only driven by a desire to be seen by others, but to connect with others, as well. But digital connections are fleeting and cannot substitute the sense of community that comes from actually linking arms with others. And the joy and sense of purpose that result from uniting with others through acts of public service both strengthen communities and create lasting friendships.
Young Americans have endured unprecedented challenges over the past several years, particularly when it comes to creating strong, enduring bonds with one another. The pandemic caused extended periods of physical separation and isolation. And many young people continue to withdraw into themselves through the use of smart devices, significantly reducing real interactions with others, weakening social bonds.
Americans, particularly young ones, are less likely than people abroad to feel close to others in their country and community, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey of 24 nations. In America, 66% of respondents reported that feeling.
Children are also struggling with interpersonal connections. According to an article that appeared last June in EducationWeek about problems young children are having with skills like learning and sharing, “While some social and emotional problems have declined slightly since the height of the pandemic, the share of parents who reported that problems with pro-social behaviors—which include skills like learning how to make friends, sharing, and getting along with peers—has increased.”
Our father-in-law and grandfather, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.”
Real communication with one another is key to establishing and sustaining what Dr. King called the Beloved Community that was the core of his dream — a society at peace with itself, that has foundations in justice, nonviolence, and equal opportunity for all.
There is no way to replicate face-to-face communication. Positive and sustained interactions with people of different backgrounds, particularly through activities like volunteering and other forms of civic engagement that bring people together, allow individuals to connect with others who they would not otherwise have had the opportunity to get to know.
To provide a platform for both volunteering and interpersonal connection, The Martin Luther King III Foundation has been spearheading the Realize the Dream (RTD) movement, with an ambitious goal of securing 100 million hours of public service by 2029, the 100th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday. This January 20th young people around the world will engage in public service projects in commemoration of Dr. King’s birthday. We strongly encourage people to seek volunteering opportunities on RTD’s website, www.realizethedream.org.
It is imperative that we guide young people to the platforms and resources they need to reach beyond themselves and establish lasting social bonds. But most of all, we must ensure that young Americans take to heart that real communication isn’t just about talking – it’s about listening.