Reflections of Martin Luther King, Jr.
According to many modern day Civil Rights groups, now is the time to “reclaim” Martin Luther King’s legacy the day after his birthday. With today’s political and social climate, I think this movement is important to remember what exactly MLK was about. From my understanding and as a half white/Latina growing up in all white rural Indiana, that this man fought and died for equality. Even my working class white father felt he was a man who fought on the side of justice. For me, his name is always associated with justice and equality, and as I was growing up facing my own bullies, this man became my hero. (It also helps that I share my birthday with this man, as I learned in second grade from my Girl Scouts Calendar, so it would have been 1978 or 1979, also that is when I learned about who he was from my father and the school library. To share a birthday with a person who amplified peace was a fact that I was so proud of and maybe was the reason that I was so interested in politics and social justice.) This opening is a simply part of my reflection, now is the time to delve in a little deeper. How would Americans, particularly white conservative Americans, view a “MLK” leader today?
It is interesting to know that many Americans, white Americans, did not view MLK in a positive during the Civil Rights movement in the 1950’s and 60’s. Which now, particularly on social media, that many try to give some contemporary civil rights groups, such as Black Lives Matter, to be “more like MLK.” I have a difficult time knowing what the difference is between the two movements, it seems that BLM is fighting for the dignities of Americans who are continued to be brutalized today, as they were in the 20th century. The other day, I listened to the “Blank Check” speech (better known as the “I Have a Dream Speech) with my 8 and 9-year-old sons and he brought up the issue of police brutality. Obviously, this issue, after over 50 years, continues to be a problem in our society. So BLM and other groups are being more like MLK than anyone has seen in a long time.
Which brings me to the issue of a modern day leader for progress, peace and equality. If a modern day civil rights leader were to rise up to the level that this man did, I have no doubt that he/she would be crucified by the conservative media. Even he/she were following in his footsteps, organizing protests, boycotts, giving speeches, other instances of civil disobedience, and pressuring politicians to do the right thing. The conservative media would throw labels at the leader to shut them up. These same people who are telling the current civil rights movement to follow in MLK’s footsteps, would make an enemy of the state of someone who was doing exactly what he would do.
Historical perspective is important even when applying to current movements. If you are a conservative but yet think the current civil rights movement is not reflective of MLK, you could not be more wrong. If you are a child of the 1950’s and 60’s, you should really be honest about how the the media and public viewed MLK and other leaders of the time. If you are younger of any political ideology, please check out books and find media coverage on how his contemporary critics and movements.
Martin Luther King, Jr. worked within and outside the system to move progress forward for rights. We, those who really believe in social justice, will be wise to follow his lead. I will also follow, not lead, for those who are part of the oppressed group that I do not identify with, and I will lead when called upon in those groups with whom I do identify. To be like MLK, is to be for justice, and that will never change, and must be passed on to the next generation.
