It always amazes me what happens when I'm minding my own business. While working out at the gym this morning, I overheard a disturbing conversation between a non-Black American gentleman and a Black-American lady. He commented during their dialogue, "Today is your holiday." To be honest with you, it was like hearing a record scratch abruptly or grimacing at the sound of finger nails screeching across a chalk board. I thought to myself, "I know he DIDN'T just say, 'YOUR holiday?!'" That REALLY bothered me because Dr. King's legacy is MUCH broader than what was accomplished to help people of my own ethnic background. As Dr. King put it, the destinies of America's various ethnic groups are tied to each other because we're all citizens of the same country. The people of this great nation must understand that WE ARE ALL AMERICANS, and we should do whatever possible to ensure the maintenance of an environment of equality and justice for all. In my opinion, that alone makes us more American than any national flag, language, emblem or anthem.
Although I wouldn't consider myself a viewer of the Oprah Winfrey Show, I was very interested in seeing today's episode chronicling twenty-five years of her program's most impactful moments in the exploration of racism in America. It was extremely inspiring because Oprah showcased the power of change and how time has a way of putting people regardless of their ethnic background in situations that bring about repentance, healing and harmony. In my humble opinion, this is what the Body of Christ here in the USA should be about doing. The church should be at the forefront of reconciling not the races, but THE race because there's only one--the HUMAN race.
We've got to acknowledge that racism has become so deeply embedded in our country's culture that it goes about undetected by most and unchecked by others. Even though the Holy Ghost is capable of increasing our sensitivity to racial discord, we have to do more than just be silent bystanders. We must wax bold in our calling to dominate the Earth with Heaven's culture and take a stand for what is right knowing that we have the power to effect change. That's what Dr. King did. He wasn't perfect, and I hate that he was set upon the pedestal of being "America's Moral Leader" because it only threatened to mar his legacy when his own personal indiscretions surfaced. However, to me it signified that GOD is able to use imperfect people to make an indelible impact on a world that sure needs some perfecting.
Therefore, let us be reminded that Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is NOT a Black American holiday. It's a U.S. national holiday, and we should refrain from suggesting otherwise. Since we profess to be ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL, let's be found guilty of promoting UNITY for it truly is patriotism at its finest.
Monday, January 17, 2011
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Elton, you made some great points above. Dr. King's approach was unity throughout the nation. The "human race" must get in gear and realize that we are not each other's enemy. If we keep it 'biblically' real - humans weren't created by God to ever be enemies.
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