CDS Continuing the Legacy of MLK Jr.

January 2018-The start of a new year and the month when we remember and celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  As we anticipate the promise of this new year for our Center for Dispute Settlement staff, volunteers and community members we can draw on our past to ground us in the present and renew our commitment to bringing peaceful, non-violent resolutions to conflicts within our communities.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Dr. King Jr. was the standard-bearer promoting social justice and bringing the Civil Rights Movement to the forefront of our national awareness through the use of peaceful protest.  Dr. King Jr.'s untiring commitment to the principles of non-violence and the selfless example he demonstrated in his role as the spokesperson for the Civil Rights Movement were instrumental in raising the consciousness of our citizens and government.  His inspiration provided the motivation for millions and was the catalyst for numerous Equal Rights legislative changes that have now gained legal precedent.  Dr. King Jr.'s untimely death in 1968 did not mark the end of his work but reinforced for many our commitment to both the Movement and the non-violent principles he stood for. 

The continued progress of the Civil Rights Movement did not come without struggle.  Many areas of the country, upstate New York included, saw civil unrest following Dr. King's assassination; anger and frustration drove the demand for immediate change.  In the early 1970's controversy surrounding city/suburban busing policies in the greater Rochester area had the potential for sparking violent outbursts.  Adherents to Dr. King’s philosophy seized the opportunity to ensure appropriate, non-violent dispute resolution procedures were available for addressing these pressing community issues.   The Center for Dispute Settlement was born out of this community discord providing peaceful, non-violent alternatives for our community.  In 1973 the Center was one of only three Community Dispute Resolution Centers in the country. 

So it is that our Agency was born from Dr. King Jr.'s philosophy of commitment to non-violent, peaceful dispute resolution.  The Community Dispute Resolution Center movement has grown and flourished mirroring the progress of the Civil Rights Movement.  Over the past 45 plus years both movements have grown significantly and have been instrumental in making cultural and societal improvements far and wide.  However, despite the progress in this social movement we find ourselves living in very polarizing times.  Therefore we must remain vigilant to ensure continued progress in meeting our challenge to improve each of our communities through application of Dr. King's guiding principles of peaceful non-violent advocacy of justice for all. 

Let us celebrate Dr. King Jr.’s gift and promise on the threshold of this new year.  We must also remind ourselves of our birthright of non-violence and peaceful dispute resolution while recommitting to our mission of using and promoting peaceful dispute resolution process throughout our communities.

We’d love to tell you more about our organization. Check us out at Center for Dispute Settlement.