Let inauguration week begin

Good afternoon, On Politics readers. It's a big week.

Today we honor Martin Luther King, Jr., and the lasting impact his leadership has had on equality and civil rights in the USA.

And on Wednesday, President-elect Joe Biden begins his new job. No big deal.

As one administration ends and another begins among, well, unprecedented circumstances, King's teachings remain more relevant than ever. A few must-reads today before we dive into a wild week of politics:

• Rep. Jim Clyburn, D.-S.C., who fought for civil rights with King, writes about the parallels he sees between the 1960s and today, and how the USA is at a crossroads that needs strong leadership.
• Javonte Anderson explores some of King's most powerful quotes, and how they've been twisted in the past for political purpose.
• A key pledge in Biden’s plan to build the nation “back better’’ is to further address systemic racism that has hindered the advancement of Black Americans, including proposals addressing economic inequality. King was a powerful voice against poverty and income inequality. (King's son speaks more to this legacy in this video from The New York Times.) 

Here's more politics news to know this Monday: