WINSTON WEEKLY©^[1]

January 19, 2025

Vol. 3, No. 3

WINTER’S VISION

Staying true to January’s winter theme while recognizing that tomorrow is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, it seems appropriate to consider winter’s vision in the context of sociology and “winter soldier” Dr. King.[2] Although Dr. King called himself a “Drum Major for Justice”, Bruce Hartford called him a “winter soldier”, a play on the words of Thomas Paine. In 1776, Paine wrote of the summertime soldiers who deserted Valley Forge when the going was rough. Winter soldiers, on the other hand, are “those who stand and endure against discouragement, adversity, and defeat.” Dr. King stood and endured.

Referring to Dr. King in 2005 as a winter soldier, Hartford wrote: “It’s not often mentioned, but like all of us, Dr. King made mistakes and experienced failures. Yet one of the great things about him is that he learned from his mistakes and failures. From the errors he made during the Albany, Georgia campaign of 1962 came the Birmingham victories of 1963 which played a key role in the eventual passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”  Hartford went on to say that unlike “leaders and theoreticians who are so wedded to the correctness of their opinions that they endlessly repeat their failures,” King learned, and he grew.

Todd Schoepflin, a Buffalo, New York resident, knows something about sociology, winter, and learning. His blog following Buffalo’s notorious November 18, 2022 snowstorm stated in part: “[S]nowstorms reflect the sociological value of interdependence. We get through these snowstorms together, not alone. We depend on our families and neighbors.”[3] So too is the enduring vision of Dr. King who entered Morehouse University at age 15 and was a sociology major following his early admission. Dr. King made strides and experienced setbacks together, not alone, although he at times felt alone. He depended on friends and neighbors to address poverty and inequality within the broader context of society. Despite the connection that technology now affords, Americans are increasingly isolated. May tomorrow be a reason to reflect not only on Dr. King, but to recognize the value of interacting with your friends and neighbors, regardless of the season.

THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITY

What is the impact of winter on you and those around you, and the impact of Dr. King’s vision? Check out the Center for Civic Education for resources about civil rights and equal protection, including book recommendations. www.civiced.org.

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[1] A Sunday newsletter and blog by Alysen Bayles to be shared with the appropriate attribute.

[2] Bruce Hartford, “In Memory of Dr. King – A Winter Soldier”, Jan. 15, 2005, www.crmvet.org.

[3] Todd Schoepflin, “Here We Snow Again (But Not on Our Own)”, Dec. 5, 2022, www.everydaysociologyblog.com.