The deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown spotlighted what has unfortunately become the perspective of many in this country: that while we have made progress in the experience of racial equality and justice, we still regrettably have a long way to go.
We all saw the public reaction to the grand jury decision in the Michael Brown case. Many of us were even more flabbergasted at the decision in the Eric Garner case. From rioting in St. Louis to protests in cities like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, demonstrators took to the streets to voice their disapproval.
As we reflect upon the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. we may inevitably wonder what he would have thought and said had he been alive to witness the current challenges we face.
While there may be some who would claim to know exactly what he would think and say, the truth is that none of us can say for sure. What we do know, however, is how he thought and what he said during the height of the struggle in his day. His words then may give us an idea how he would respond now:
“I think we have to look deeper … if we are to find the real cause of man’s problems and the real cause of the world’s ills today. If we are to find it, I think we have to look in the hearts and souls of men … The real problem is that through our scientific genius we’ve made of the world a neighborhood; but, through our moral and spiritual genius, we’ve failed to make of it a brotherhood.” –“Rediscovering Lost Values” (Feb. 28, 1954)
“Violence creates many more social problems than it solves. And I’ve said, in so many instances, that as the Negro, in particular, and colored peoples all over the world struggle for freedom, if they succumb to the temptation of using violence in their struggle, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long and desolate night of bitterness, and our chief legacy to the future will be an endless reign of meaningless chaos. Violence isn’t the way”. – “Loving Your Enemies” (Nov. 17, 1957)
“We must come to see that the roots of racism are very deep in our country, and there must be something positive and massive in order to get rid of all the effects of racism and the tragedies of racial injustice”. –“Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution” (March 31, 1968)
“About two years ago now, I stood with many of you who stood there in person and all of you who were there in spirit before the Lincoln Monument in Washington. As I came to the end of my speech there, I tried to tell the nation about a dream I had. I must confess to you this morning that since that sweltering August afternoon in 1963, my dream has often turned into a nightmare. …But, I tell you this morning once more that I haven’t lost the faith. I still have a dream that one day all of God’s children will have food and clothing and material well-being for their bodies, culture and education for their minds and freedom for their spirits … I still have a dream this morning that truth will reign supreme and all of God’s children will respect the dignity and worth of human personality. And when this day comes, the morning stars will sing together and the sons of God will shout for joy.” – “The American Dream” (July 4, 1965)
Bishop Patrick L. Kelly is the pastor of Cathedral Church of God, 365 S. Dixie Hwy., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. 954-427-0302.
