Martin Luther King was an icon of a movement that transformed the United States, the roots of which extended from as far as Ghandi’s India and transcended national boundaries, including Bermuda. Obama’s current challenge as a President attempting to effect reasonable gun control, puts that historic achievement by ordinary citizens, into sharp relief.MLK was but one of that group whose demonstration of character inspired so many to create an extraordinary paradigm shift, decades ago. Their examples of leveraging people-power in the face of an entrenched status quo are instructive today as the human family faces new challenges.Martin’s love of learning led him to graduate from Morehouse in Atlanta, at the age of 18. Declaring his independence, he ignored his father’s urging and chose to do his graduate studies in New England.In Bermuda there was also a declaration of independence. Hilton Hill, his wife Georgine and his sister Carol, initiated the island’s first direct challenge to segregation, organising a boycott against a play staged at the Bermudiana Hotel in 1952. Their protest did not catch on at the time, but would have inspired reflection in the community.Martin was using his time of graduate studies as a period of deep reflection as he reviewed various philosophies. By 1954 he had completed his PhD at Boston University and forgoing the invitation to join his father at Ebenezer Baptist in Atlanta, MLK reinforced his independence and took a role in small-town Montgomery .Subsequent to their protest, Hilton and Georgine Hill hosted meetings at their home, reflecting on local challenges.Included were: Edward DeJean, who was sustaining the Howard Academy miracle; Wilfred (Mose) Allen, a confidant of (former Parliamentarian) Dr EF Gordon and mentor to (lawyer and politician) Lois Browne Evans; as well as (educators) Albert and Louise Jackson. David Critchley — a social worker — captured the collective voice of the group and drafted a document; ‘An Analysis of Bermuda’s Social Ills’. They printed scores of copies in Canada and secretly circulated them throughout the community; promoting reflection.DeJean had rallied to sustain the effort started by Edwin Skinner; filling a gap in education for many young people at that time; including Ottie Simmons, John Swan and Roosevelt Brown. ‘Mose’, was an exemplar of independence across generations, modelling courage in speaking truth to power.On December 1, 1955 Rosa Parks declared her independence on a bus in Montgomery. No small feat in a climate in which the KKK was ‘given’ free reign to terrorise the minority. Edgar Nixon — NAACP activist — and lawyer Clifford Durr, bailed Parks from jail and convinced her to take her case further. (In spite of Rosa’s husband’s fear that she would be killed.)Unknown to others, the Women’s Political Council secretly circulated thousands of flyers calling for a boycott. Nixon organised a meeting of community leaders, including clergy and a bus boycott was agreed.MLK was initially reluctant to get involved, but the inspiring example of the humble Parks, compelled him to rise to the occasion. He gave voice to the campaign, speaking truth to power. Success came after 13 months of non-violent efforts in the face of numerous challenges, including bombings.On February 8, 1959 a small group met secretly in Flatts to reflect on local challenges. The Progressive Group eventually came up with the Theatre Boycott which began on June 15. The secret document drafted by Critchley was circulated at the spontaneous rallies during the campaign and within two weeks formal segregation was removed in the Island.These ordinary people declared their independence, imagined a better Bermuda and took action to get a process moving that brought fundamental transformation to our Island.In the US the movement was a far more difficult task of removing the walls of segregation with a commitment to non-violence in the face of a violent culture of repression of the minority. Through the mobilisation of some churches, various trade unions and the independent actions of students, both black and white, change began to slowly roll across that powerful nation.The March on Washington in August 1963 was a seminal moment when MLK gave voice to the Dream. In his last years King moved to even further independence, notwithstanding it was an unpopular move, taking a stand against his Government’s policy of war in Vietnam.These stories from our shared heritage, offer us something to reflect on as we explore our way forward, today. For one, we note that in reality the achievements made were due to the sustaining of a movement — an open, inviting effort based on principle rather than any particular group.Our Island is at a crossroads, and as we explore the way forward we are reminded that ordinary people with qualities of character can make an extraordinary difference. In light of this we should seek to collaborate across our community. We can support each other in reflecting before we act. Let’s be the change and declare our personal independence, fostering empowerment.The example of Edwin Skinner reminds us to do what we can to bridge any gaps in the education of our young people. Eddie DeJean suggested for us to take up any fallen batons. We have the example of courage demonstrated by Rosa Parks and Roslyn Williams whose home became the secret base for the Progressive Group. Reflecting on our options, Martin Luther King’s example reminds us to use our imaginations — to Dream — as we seek an even better future.