On Monday, January 15, our nation observes the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King. This commemoration is a national holiday. Banks, offices, schools and post offices will be closed. We celebrate the life of a great man and we also reflect on the evil of racism and how it has poisoned our nation. The first Africans were brought to America in 1619, a year before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts. The exploitation of black human beings is our American original sin and it existed early in our history. The first English colony was established at Jamestown in 1607; slaves came in 1619. Indeed, racial discrimination is a shameful reality at our founding.
Website: bobadelman.net
Our nation fought a bloody Civil War to end slavery, but that war did not fully exorcise from our nation the sin and tragedy of racism. In the mid 20th century, Dr. King was the most important spokesperson for the civil rights movement, an optimistic effort to once and for all achieve equality for all persons. Dr. King and the civil rights movement was opposed by many people who did not want all Americans to be equal. In fact, Martin Luther King was assassinated; he died a martyr for the truth that God created every human being to be equal to all others.
We acknowledge two facts: one, we have made progress. Two, racism is still an ugly truth and a widespread problem. Dr. King did not counter hate with hate. His method was non-violence. He did not advocate hating those who opposed him; he urged his followers to love their opponents. Dr. King was a minister of the Gospel and his teaching was based on the teachings of Jesus who said, “love your enemies”.
21st century discourse is too often hateful. We vilify our political opponents. We see them as not just misguided, but evil. This is the way of both liberals and conservatives, not just one side of our political divide.
Martin Luther King’s Birthday represents our national commitment to equality and against racism. I also think that it should remind us to respect those with whom we disagree, to win them by love and not by power or hatred.