By Dave Johnson
W&M Athletics
 
Martin Luther King Jr. has been gone far too long, but his legacy endures. If you want to be inspired, Google his name and "quotes."
 
All this time later, King's words are motivating a generation whose parents were either toddlers or not even born when he spoke them. Malcolm Baytop, a junior on William & Mary's gymnastics team, is driven by one in particular.
 
"We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."
 
Those words, written nearly 60 years ago in "Letter from Birmingham Jail," have encouraged Baytop to help his community — from his home in North Hills, Calif., all the way to Williamsburg.
 
Among his many activities in high school, Baytop served on the Los Angeles Youth Mayor Council. These days, he is a part of an organization called "Done Waiting," which advocates for progressive candidates across the country. He also helped with voter drives in Virginia's 2021 elections.
 
"I think that quote is a really good representation of MLK and what he stood for," Baytop said. "That idea and framework is what drives me and inspires me."
 
There was so much Dr. King, whose life we honor Monday, stood for. Equality, education, helping your fellow citizen, and so much more. Nearly 53 years after his death, those traits are just as important — if not more so.
 
"When I think of Martin Luther King, the first word that comes to mind is 'trailblazer,'" said Marcus Crowell, a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and the football team's Leadership Council. "He did so much in terms of beating racism and segregation and helping the black community.
 
"I knew there had to be a certain significance to his name when I was younger. But as the years went on, I learned more and more about the Civil Rights movement. Not just the name Martin Luther King, but the ideas that were behind the name and who he really was."
 
Jillian O'Toole, a junior on the Tribe's soccer team, also feels Dr. King's influence.
 
"His legacy has been prominent in my life," said O'Toole, one of her team's two SAAC representatives. "It encourages me and the people around me to be open minded and inclusive and to highlight people's voices who may not have a voice."
 
O'Toole's sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, raises money for CASA — Court Appointed Special Advocates. The national organization supports court-appointed advocates for abused and/or neglected children.
 
Volleyball player Sydney Taylor uses her inspiration from Dr. King's memory in her role as chair of SAAC's Diversity & Inclusion.
 
"In the athletic department, I've been trying to advocate for a more diverse department," she said. "I think Martin Luther King would really support that because he fundamentally believed in creating a diverse society. A society where individuals can work together.
 
"I'm really passionate about social belonging. Those are things we can fully work towards — just like he did."
 
Taylor also stresses the university's You Belong Here campaign.
 
"I absolutely love everything it stands for, but unfortunately, a lot of student athletes and students at the school aren't aware of that campaign," she said. "One of the things we've done in the past year is try to emphasize ways we can make people feel comfortable.
 
"We created the poster in Kaplan Arena. Even though it's a piece of paper on the wall, it was a cool way to define what belonging means to them. They write on a sticky note and put it on the wall. It's a really cool way for people to visually see what the campaign is."
 
Nearly 53 years after his death, Dr. King still has plenty of influence.
 
"He inspired people, not just with his eloquence but leading by example," Baytop said. "He was willing to go to the streets and protest. He stood up for issues that were important with his time and energy."