MLK on Relationships
This morning I read Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail. Obviously his oratory skills were tremendous, but he was an excellent writer as well. It’s so refreshing to read someone who is resolutely committed to love. The closing paragraphs of the letter include these humble words:
If I have said anything in this letter that is an overstatement of the truth and is indicative of an unreasonable impatience, I beg you to forgive me. If I have said anything in this letter that is an understatement of the truth and is indicative of my having a patience that makes me patient with anything less than brotherhood, I beg God to forgive me.
How would our personal relationships benefit from this mindset? Do we seek forgiveness from others when we overstate the truth or are unreasonably inpatient? Do we seek forgiveness from God when we settle for anything less than brotherhood?
I could not read MLK’s words without feeling they apply also to 21st Century America, to our cultural divide.
How do you think these excerpts from the letter apply to issues of today?
Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere in this country.
Reinhold Niebuhr has reminded us, groups are more immoral than individuals.
One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.
Society must protect the robbed and punish the robber.
We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people.
Will we be extremists for hate or will we be extremists for love?
…too many others have been more cautious than courageous and have remained silent…
Digging Deeper:
What issues come to mind when you consider the words of MLK? How is his message aligned with the social justice movement of today? And how is it different?
Do you find his words have application for modern issues that do not stem from racial injustice? Who is currently considered an “outsider”?
Where do you see the truth of Niebuhr’s words evidenced? Are you mindful of how “groups” may be influencing you?
Do you have concerns about society again going astray while “good people” remain appallingly silent? In what ways?
How can you be an extremist for love in your family? In your neighborhood? Or even in society at large?
Is there any area where you feel you are inclined to be more cautious than courageous?