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    Jeff Kaley
January 15, 2012

How would Dr. King react to King holiday?

Jeff Kaley The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Martin Luther King Jr. would have been 83 years old today, and I can’t help wondering: How would Dr. King react to Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

In the 1950s and ’60s, equality for African-Americans was foremost on Dr. King’s agenda. But from what I remember and have learned about the great civil and human rights leader, by this point in life he would have extended “the cause” to fit the diversity of  21st century America.

The man who wanted to see “little black boys and little black girls” side by side with “little white boys and little white girls,” would have extended his vision beyond race to include religious, economic and cultural equity for all.

I also think Dr. King would say he was just another passenger on the human train; another member of the species trying to understand life’s mysteries and sort out its complexities.

Martin Luther King Jr. was an apostle of peace and a man of conviction and destiny, whose life became an inspiration to millions. As was said of his hero, Mahatma Gandhi, future generations will find it difficult to believe a human being such as Martin Luther King Jr. actually existed.

That said, how would Dr. King react to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday?

Forgive me for being so presumptive, but allow me to speculate and combine my words with Dr. King’s, which are in italics.

In reaction to the holiday, I suspect Dr. King would wistfully smile and then say something to this effect:

Thank you for the honor. I am deeply gratified that many of you feel I’m deserving, but I humbly decline.

We have made great strides toward racial equality in American society. We are moving in the right direction, progressing toward a society in which integration does not mean a romantic mixing of colors, but a real sharing of power and responsibility.

We are proceeding toward a society that is not “colorless,” but one in which the serendipitous fact we have different skin hues no longer restrains us in the pursuit of human dignity.

With each passing generation, we are grasping the concept that, like life, racial understanding is not something that we find, but something that we must create. The ability to work together, to understand each other, will not be found ready-made; it must be created by the fact of contact.

We aren’t there yet, but as we continue the journey together, it becomes more clear that racism is a philosophy based on contempt for life. It is the arrogant assertion that one race is the center of value and object of devotion, before which other races must kneel in submission.

Racism runs contrary to the one tenet that is a fundamental in all religious thought: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Racism mocks the lofty ideals of our founding fathers: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

As Americans, we are drawing nearer to grasping ideals; as human beings, we are approaching what I still believe, that one day mankind will bow before the altars of God and be crowned triumphant over war and bloodshed, and non-violent redemptive goodwill will proclaim the rule of all of humanity.

Again, I am humbled that so many respond to my message, and I understand the need to personify a sublime concept in a human form. If a Martin Luther King Jr. holiday can bring clarity and focus in the pursuit of equality and mutual respect for all, perhaps it serves a purpose at this point in history.

But this has never been about me; this has never been “Martin Luther King Junior’s Dream.” Rather, it is the eternal human longing, and throughout the ages of humankind, others have also been clarions of the message of love and human dignity. I was only one of many vessels through which that message was transmitted.

When I went to the mountain top and looked over, I didn’t see Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I saw Human Dignity Day.

And when all of humanity can envision and embrace that dream, that’s when we can finally say: Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty we are free at last!



jeff.kaley@duncanbanner.com

580-255-5354, Ext. 172

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