After the Holiday is Over: Post-MLK Day Musings

On January 15, we celebrated the legacy of one whose very life contributed to the construction of a “new” America, Martin Luther King Jr. Some took the time on that commemorative day to reflect upon the consequential lessons of yet another chapter of American History in which hatred and prejudice served as the foundation of civil laws and uncivil conduct while others considered where we stand today. Yet, after our rest-filled or activity laden day off and commemoration we must ask: Are we still devoid of vision and hope for a better today and greater tomorrow? Are we to keep dreaming or should we maintain the resolve, that in our global world, the poor, disenfranchised, and marginalized have already overcome? I contend that our global community is in dire need of “dreamers” who will continually critique the social structures of our global community that inhibit peace and justice so as to carry out the legacy that the great Dr. King began.

Presently, many speak of Dr. King’s “dream” as nothing more than a sensationalistic flash in American history, a moment reminiscent of the social tremors of our discomforting past. For most Americans, life as we know it is fairly perfect. We no longer force any racial group to sit in the back of the bus nor do we publicly humiliate other human beings or allow our public servants to brutally attack those who seek to peacefully protest. America is no longer that two-faced country that exists as a nation founded upon the democratic principles of “freedom and unalienable rights” while simultaneously forcing some groups within its borders to live under inhumane conditions. Today, we have moved beyond those shortcomings or have we?

What issues would Dr. King force us to re-envision and dream about today? Would Dr. King be comfortable with the increasing role of violence in our society, in our global community, as a means to end conflict (i.e. Iraq war)? Would Dr. King support any group or faction, religious or secular, that fails to openly demonstrate true love and regard for others (i.e. gay and/or lesbian individuals)? Would Dr. King remain silent as larger continents like Africa are devastated by the AIDS virus and smaller countries like Sudan experience political upheaval and civil unrest? One would only hope that Dr. King would remain consistent in his moral grounding and respond to any of the aforementioned with the same passion as he approached the question of civil rights. Nonetheless, the task is left to us to dream and to act in accordance with Dr. King’s legacy.

Thus, MLK day is a national holiday that serves as a charge for us to consider the legacy of a great American leader. Moreover, it serves as a reminder that we must perpetually seek to situate ourselves, as participants, within his “dream” daily. Participating, in what I think, is a dream that points in the direction of the here-and-not-yet Kin-dom of God. A kin-dom actualized by through Christ and the participation of human kind. Alas, this one national day of reflection should propel us to action during the other three hundred and sixty four. Hail to Dr. King and hats off to the bearers of the dream who live amongst us today!