Martin Luther King, Jr. was not a perfect man, but when cultural winds collided to create a perfect storm of change, he became the ideal leader. His mixture of calmness and courage grounded in compassion -- even for violently racist opponents -- set an important example for others to follow.
And, while we set aside this day to celebrate King's life and achievements, we remember that he was not alone. We also recall names like Rosa Parks and Daisy Bates and James Meredith. We even remember numbers like "the Little Rock Nine" and "the Greensboro four."
The names I remember best are Lula Elam, Laura Elam, and Willie Murray, three brave souls from the west side of town who dared to enroll in Lincolnton High School (Georgia) in 1965. I will never forget how much tension there was when they first walked into the science lab that served as our ninth grade homeroom, or how much abuse was heaped upon them, or how they endured.
With shame, I confess to being among the oppressors on that day. In their steely courage played out over four years, however, my conversion from racism was born.
Today, wherever they are, I salute them.
Monday, January 21, 2008
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2 comments:
My introduction to Dr. King, the real man, (as opposed to the random guy in history class) came in some of my recent readings.
Entirely too long ago, a friend of mine let me borrow his still unreturned copy of "Soul Survivor" by Philip Yancey. I grew-up about 30 miles north and 15 years after Mr. Yancey yet I immediately related to his description of racism in the south and the pervading views of Dr. King.
I sometimes wonder if there is an equivalent figure in today's society and I wonder if "the church " is using twisted interpretations of scripture to keep him or her down as well. The reaction to Dr. King is one of the reasons why I think that "liberals" in the church need to be listened to....they were the primary supporters of Dr. Kings. The "conservatives" were the primary ones distributing the violence.
I've warn his name out in other venues but both of you must put Marshall Frady's short bio of King on your reading list, and for sure Tim Tyson.
Good story, Tony, about Lincolnton.
I have similar stories about friends in Gaffney, SC; one who did the script for the ABC After School Special The Hero who Couldn't Read, starring Kareem Abdul Jabbar; and another who was Joe Lieberman's campaign manager for 2004 SC Primary.
Charles Marsh interview with Sam Bowers from that era is another necessary for you two influentials in the Progressive wing of Baptist life.
I continue to believe Marsh's treatment of the mid 60's pastor at FBC Jackson, Doug Hudgins is analogous to Al Mohler for our time.
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