Happy Martin Luther King Day! This is one of my favorite holidays because it doesn’t involve consumerism, greed or buying Hallmark cards. Hopefully, it inspires you to think about where we are, where we’ve been and what we can do to create a better tomorrow.

We’ve come a long way in the US as far as racism goes, but hate groups still exist. 9-11 has created a huge outlash against Muslims, both Americans and visitors. Here is a great YouTube clip that depicts some of the harsh images, and some that give us hope.

How does this apply to sustainable tourism or authentic marketing? We need to realize what we truly are in order to embrace the present. For destinations, consider drawing attention to monuments and the rich history of a region, both good and bad. For companies, reflect on what it is that makes you special, and also how you might improve, become more sustainable, or take better care of employees and customers. We can all reflect and improve in some way.

Next time you’re in Memphis or Montgomery, visit some sites and museums and learn a little bit more about the legacy of Dr. King. Aloha, Pedro