January 20 marked Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States, and I took time to reflect on one of the driving motivations behind his life and cause. A profound clue lies in his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. He declared:

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today!”

Dr. King’s vision was deeply rooted in the desire to build a nation fit for his children. The brilliance of this idea lies in its universality: if a society is fit for my children, it becomes fit for all children. One of his greatest motivations was to leave a legacy of a world better suited for his children to thrive.

Another remarkable aspect of Dr. King’s life is how his parents deliberately prepared him for his life’s assignment. This preparation empowered him to envision and strive for a better world for his children and, by extension, all children. In his autobiography, he reflected:

“My mother confronted the age-old problem of the Negro parent in America: how to explain discrimination and segregation to a small child. She taught me that I should feel a sense of ‘somebodiness’… She made it clear that she opposed this system and that I must never allow it to make me feel inferior…
And I think that my strong determination for justice comes from the very strong, dynamic personality of my father, and I would hope that the gentle aspect comes from a mother who is very gentle and sweet.”

In my book, Transforming Child Discipline into the Culture of Discipline, I explored how his parents prepared him to build a better nation for his children because they themselves embodied this mission in their own way. Their nurturing environment cultivated in him the values of justice, equality, and a deep sense of purpose.

Building a world fit for our children to thrive in and committing to causes that promote this ideal, I believe, is the hallmark of parenting. This sentiment was also echoed by Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan in their letter announcing the birth of their daughter. They pledged to work toward a better world for her, expressing the conviction that if the world is better for their daughter, it will be better for all children. This underscores a universal truth: the fight for a better world begins with envisioning it as the legacy we want to leave for our children.

I listened to Dele Farotimi speak at Pastor Ayedogbon’s church. He profoundly stated that his motivation for advocating justice is the desire to create a just country where his children can thrive. This, I believe, is the ultimate motivation. From the micro-level of individual families to the macro-level of society, parenting is about striving for a world where justice, equality, and fairness prevail—not just by providing education or opportunities for our children but by building a society that enables all children to flourish.

As Proverbs 31:8-9 teaches, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Creating a just world is not merely an act of goodwill; it is a divine call to action.

Reflecting on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year, I am inspired a new to commit to building an egalitarian society world where every child can reach their full potential. It is our collective responsibility to create environments and nations that nurture children’s capacities and ensure they inherit not just a world but also a good name, justice, and equality.

This is the lesson I carry forward from this year’s reflections. May we all find the courage and resolve to build such a world.

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