Segregation was an early and often reality in the early 1900’s. The separation of black and white communities was routine in all manner of life. Education, commerce, military, and daily duties often featured a two-tiered system. Even funeral homes rarely mixed the patrons. It wasn’t just water fountains and buses that featured racism. The struggle to find equal footing was a daunting task.
Martin Luther King Jr. grew up enveloped in this struggle. His father once brought him to buy shoes when the sales clerk told them to wait in the back of the store. His father refused and took his seat among the other patrons. It caused a ripple not soon forgotten in King’s young mind. History shines light on Dr. King’s mission, while overlooking the burden and plight of his stalwart parents. It also attempts to paint him as an activist when he was more the preacher, pastor, and elder. His favorite song, “I Want to Be More and More Like Jesus” echoed through his voice. He was said to speak in other tongues in-between sermon lines and pray exclusively in Jesus’ Name.
All these things seem cloaked in this new world of historical revisionism. Dr. King was centered on things that are besmirched today. Equity was never King’s message. But today, America is inundated with this term as they try to reposition King’s message. Equity means equal outcome, with no regard to character or work or integrity. Dr. King sought Equality which simply meant, equal opportunity. He spoke character over color: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
To be more and more like Jesus is a pursuit of everyone who recognizes that our heart is far greater than our appearance. Our character is the matter of our spirit. No one is better or worse by virtue of their appearance. We should have learned this from the prophet Samuel:
1 Sam 16:7 “…for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
I pause today to remember the man who struggled for a cause much greater than himself. I pause to remember that our pursuit is to be like Jesus… “on earth I long to be like Him.”
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