To the editor:

Rev. Martin Luther King’s life, bravery, and accomplishments are worthy of our nation’s reverence. Unfortunately, these national celebrations are all too often a safe look-back to past struggles and a blinkered view of present human rights injustices. Equally depressing is the reality that for some politicians these memorial events are merely opportunities to dust off old speeches and promote books.

Yes, champion Dr. King’s struggles against a legacy of justice denied, but put aside the elevation of an ossified past to the detriment of current human rights violations.

In the years since Dr. King’s murder in 1968, our nation has suffered the loss of 52 million aborted babies — black, white, minority, rich and poor — each of which given five years would have been kindergarten students like the murdered 20 in the Newtown, Conn. massacre. Would MLK have averted his eyes from the 52 million and taken refuge in silence and past glories? He would not.

This year, I challenge our Kitsap legislators — Sen. Rolfes, Reps. Appleton and Hansen — to join me at the Jan. 22 March for Life event on the steps of the state Capitol Building. Legislators, forgo your warm marble chambers and oratorical glory to stand with the people in the cold, witnessing for human life.

Rev. King would eschew the insider’s sanctuary and man the ramparts for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all generations. MLK would challenge our current culture of death for all people.

Join us Jan. 22 and honor Dr. King’s legacy.

JAMES M. OLSEN

Bainbridge Island