I celebrate the courage, passion and tenacious love of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I admire, even envy, his equal commitments to peace and change. Dr. King faced the hate from his white brothers and sisters, illegal acts of his government, and beatings and murders of his black brothers and sisters with a persistent love. Seeking to change, never to destroy, those persons responsible, believing that "Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend."
On this national day of remembrance and celebration, everyone from the President of the United States to the President of the Local Chamber of Commerce will talk admiringly of Dr. King's life and passion. No doubt, thousands of his words will be read (and will inspire yet again).
What if we took it seriously?
Thousands of us will hear the words, feel the tingle, then walk back into our mis-beliefs unchanged. We may feel energized about equality and peace, but will we ignore the demand for nonviolence? If we acknowledge it at all, will we believe that nonviolence only applies to changing voting laws?
An equally important part of Dr. King's message was "Violence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problem: it merely creates new and more complicated ones."
Persistently, Dr. King lived and preached, "Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal."
Even President Obama, surely a sincere admirer of Dr. King, in his Nobel speech could not commit to Dr. King's example "in the world as it is." On one hand saying there was "nothing weak - nothing passive - nothing naïve" about Dr. King's belief in nonviolence, but justifying abandoning the principles because "of threats to the American people." Threats like death? Isn't that EXACTLY the threat facing Dr. King when he stubbornly stuck to his belief that love was still the best answer?
On this day, do we truly admire and celebrate him, or call him weak and naïve by celebrating only half of his legacy? I want what he wanted, equality and peace, but am I willing to commit to love as my only weapon and defense? Even if it means my life...
1 comment:
For some reason, when you wrote, "What if we took it seriously?" I was reminded of an essay you wrote on the true work and character of Jesus. You reminded us that if one claims to follow the person of Christ, certain changes in character MUST follow.
It helped me realize that what Rev. King did better than 98 percent of us was to embody the teaching of Jesus, whom he claimed to love and follow.
Anyway, it was a side note brought about by a turn of the phrase, but I think it helps me respond to the main question of whether or not love is worth the sacrifice that it may or may not call for. The answer for me is yes. Love is worth it. What that means exactly is still uncertain to me. I haven't sought out ways to love beyond my comfort level, but I have, at times, been given the opportunity to choose love when another option would be easier or more comfortable. That's certainly not the level of sacrifice of Dr. King or Jesus, but it's a start.
Thanks for reminding us of the heart of Dr. King's work.
Post a Comment