Recently I visited the National Museum of African American with my gal pal Jaime Willis.

A sobering yet surprisingly uplifting experience for me.

I teared up twice. Both times the tears were more joyful than sad even though there is so much sadness to witness there.

The first was when I read a copy of the 14th Amendment.  It is the one that tells the federal government (and the states) that everyone is entitled to the same rights and the same responsibilities of citizenship.

Thank goodness, since the mid-19th century, our definition of everyone has broadened, albeit painfully slowly for many.

The second was when I heard the voice of MLK, boy that man was a true inspiration.  His ability to choose the right words at the right time is second to none, words that mobilize the collective better angels of our souls.

I am also re-reading a three part biography of Martin Luther King and his times, arguably the best one, by Taylor Branch.

Why am I re-reading it?

I often cope with uncertainty by reading books that highlight how extraordinary men and women do extraordinary things during precarious times.

And we live in uncertain times now.  And we have for too long, and this extended length of time is as debilitating to the individual citizen’s well-being as it is to the institutions and norms of a democratic country.

We, and the world at large, have collectively suffered from almost 16 years of fear and uncertainty and incredible displacement since that first plane smashed into the North Tower.

We killed Bin Laden, but I am sorry to admit, he is still winning . . .

This coming week could not be a more stark study in contrasts.  On Monday we celebrate the life of MLK.  And on Friday we inaugurate Donald J. Trump as President of the United States of America.

I will not, and we should not, simply deify, on the one hand, or devil-fy, on the other, either man, each had/has tremendous flaws that run deep and wide.

It is their mission I evaluate.  MLK’s was one grounded in the virtues of justice, courage, humanity, and wisdom.  Great leaders certainly manipulate situations and people, but for benevolent causes and benevolent results.

When I was a troubled young boy my mom used her imagination to inspire me to be good and do good.

One simple example:

When she pretended the fork was a plane, I ate my veggies.  Heck I am 6 foot 3 now!

Great leaders do the same thing for their citizens, they reveal to us what we want even when we do not know it yet, and they help us to reach a greater level of understanding and of action, all in the pursuit of virtue.

On Friday we inaugurate a peculiar man into the highest office of the land.  His fork does not contain figurative veggies, something that would provide us with inclusive sustenance and global vigor.  Instead it is a spoon, a giant one, filled with pure white sugar.

This sugar high deceives us into thinking there are 140 character “solutions” to the challenges of the 21st century.

This same high we will experience is not grounded in any virtue.  Like actual sugar it will be absorbed quickly into our collective bloodstream, it will give us a false sense of well-being and power, and it will undermine us from the inside out, faster than we ever thought possible, just like one of his failed casinos in my native state of New Jersey.

Stop thinking the office will elevate the man.  He is no Lincoln, our best, and heck he is no James Buchanan, our worst.  Stop comparing like with unlike.

And stop gambling on our future.

But we, the people, do not have to succumb to the ignoble temptations of our own internal and collective narcissism even when they are promoted from the very top.

Nor do we have to hide or gripe for four years hoping an opposition strong enough to win in 2020 magically appears.

Going it alone is folly.  Rugged Individualism is as American as apple pie, and as bad for us in large servings.  Hiding collectively is also folly as we abrogate our responsibility to build a more perfect union.

Flawed people, who in spite of their flaws, strive toward a life of virtue are the best.  This week be one of them, and find more of these people to help you uncover solutions.

Act with MLK virtue and strength as your guide . . .