Preston Love Jr. finds hope in Norfolk as MLK's successor

As the sun sets on Martin Luther King Remembrance day in Norfolk, a different message echoes from a man who lived through another era of violence and social upheaval 60 years ago.

Preston Love Jr.  played ball at what was then known as Norfolk Junior College, and now known as Northeast Community College.

On the day dedicated to honoring one of America’s most famous champions of social reform, Love’s virtual session was a time of remembering what King’s campaign was like in the moment and the void that was left just after his assassination.

“‘Where is Martin Luther King?’ was asked in the 60s and 70s because there was a need for his calm, his voice of reason, his approach to non-violence,” said Black Votes Matter President and Founder Preston Love Jr.

In the wake of one of the worst years in recent US history, parallels to the strife of then and now, biological, political, and spiritual comparisons are difficult to ignore.

“Now, with COVID-19 and all of the stress and pain that it has brought to the table. And even continued violence, and rogue police, and now even insurrection, where is Martin Luther King now?

In the absence of King’s powerful yet calm approach to effecting change, Love calls for not just remembering the civil rights leader’s spirit, but to draw from it.

“The change, the reforms, the need for justice,” Love said, “is in us.”

In 50 years' time, Love hopes that the question of “Where is Martin Luther King now?” will have a new answer.

“That the answer would be, ‘over there, at the community college. And over there, at the city. In Norfolk,’” he said.