Much to Cheer, Much to Do

America marks the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today with a federal holiday and poetic tributes. There is much to celebrate. Americans have made dramatic progress on racial matters since the civil-rights leader was murdered 20 years ago. But, as the widening economic gap between whites and blacks demonstrates, King’s work remains unfinished.

Although the nation is no longer “moving toward two societies, one black, one white--separate and unequal,” as the Kerner Commission reported in 1968, there are two societies, one of haves and one--disproportionately young, female and black--of have-nots. With proper leadership, the gap need not be permanent.

The Kerner Commission, appointed by former President Lyndon B. Johnson two decades ago to trace the origins of riots in eight American cities, outlined the areas for action: employment, education, welfare and housing. The report also recommended policies to keep alive cities that would become increasingly black and increasingly poor. The commission had its priorities right. What it did not imagine was the recent loss of national leadership in domestic problems or the deep cuts in social programs.

Despite economic gains by black Americans, nearly one-third of all black children are growing up in poverty, dropping out of school and facing unemployment, according to the National Urban League’s annual “State of Black America” report last week. Although more black families are solidly middle-class, average black family income in general is on the decline. Even as black students’ standard test scores improve, black college enrollment drops. As the gap widens between affluent blacks and poor blacks, the youngest blacks, the future generations, lose ground.

Some things clearly are different. When Ku Klux Klan members and sympathizers disrupted a small march held to honor King’s birthday in Forsyth County, Ga., last year, a second march was organized, reminiscent of those led by King 25 years ago. This time police protected, rather than beat, the marchers. A young black man died last year after he and two friends were chased and beaten in Howard Beach, a predominantly white section of Queens, N.Y. The tragedy was reminiscent of the turbulent 1950s and 1960s, but the outcome was not. Last month three white men were convicted on manslaughter charges.

Progress in race relations has not meant broad or steady economic progress, but that may change. According to the Census Bureau, a larger percentage of young black voters went to the polls two years ago than did young white voters, for the first time since the 1964 Voting Rights Act became law--another of King’s major victories. If it continues, the voting pattern may mean longer-lasting economic victories for black children of the future.

King celebrated his 39th birthday, his last, 20 years ago. Economic injustice was one of his last crusades before he was assassinated. Leaders who claim King’s mantle or borrow his eloquence must use both to press for economic growth and opportunity for all Americans.