Yesterday was a historic day for our nation. It troubles me that some couldn’t look past partisanship and politics in general to simply recognize the social historical significance of seeing Barack Obama be chosen to lead this nation. However, with this historic transition in place, and this significant step toward justice in this country, it’s time to move forward, because there are many more steps to take.
I read about an interesting poll that CNN conducted that presented some, suprising to me, survey results. They found that “69 percent of blacks said King’s vision has been fulfilled,” along with 46% of whites. I wonder if the euphoria of the moment caused people to over estimate the steps we’ve taken or that society has really succeeded in sanitizing the deep call for justice of Dr. King’s life and dream.
We’ve got a long way to go in this country and globally. Spending time listening to speeches on Monday and Tuesday, I’ve been inspired, and I hope as a people we together can forge ahead toward the justice and equality we claim this country is founded on. And those who claim faith in Jesus, you have all the more calling to strive toward these acts of love and justice. King’s words ring true to all people, but particularly people of faith:
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
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.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; “and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.”
With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
We’ve made small steps, today was a big one, but there are still many hurdles to overcome. King talked about injustices in his day, and there are many, even recent injustices we can reference today.
Definitely. I have your post and Boyd's bookmarked, should have read it before I wrote for inspiration huh?
Brian, I agree to think that King's vision is complete simply because Obama became president completely misses the fullness of what King's vision and really the call of the church was all about. Definitely agree with that.
However, I think the survey from CNN is also telling about what this step does actually mean for so many, especially in the African-American community. Perception is reality, and when a large part of a community see this as a major stride, I think we need to acknowledge that, and even celebrate it. I don't doubt the honeymoon period will wear out shortly, but we can still acknowledge this is a stride for our country.
Your obviously right, besides skin color, Obama has a lot of the same qualifications as past presidents (money, power, etc). But skin color, the impact that has had on his life and how people have treated him, is a pretty big deal. I mean the one of the main factors of racism is that all other things being equal, people are treated unfairly because of their skin color. Obama in office is a sign that we might be slowly moving beyond that.
And, yes, Obama's move to the presidency wasn't the same as the grassroots civil rights movement, but as Saul Alinsky would tell you, by any means necessary.
let alone all of king's dream related to nonviolence. You should read Greg Boyd's most recent post on his blog. http://www.gregboyd.org. It's quite intriguing…
i have a lot of question surrounding yesterday. many of them revolve around the fact that few people look at that day in its i guess you could say "socio-economic totality". that is to say if you look past his race hes really not that unique of a president. yesterday was never framed as " america elects its first ivy league, multimillionaire philanthropist, black, president." that would been more accurate, more like the status quo, and would of course harsh everybody's rhetoric based buzz.
it also seems like a lot of folks are acting like kIng himself became president. or that barack obama campaign is an extension of the civil rights movement. if i remember correctly just before MLK was assassinated he was working on building a "poor peoples movement" made up or poor/working class whites and blacks. as a life long member of the working class i find it to be deeply offensive that the american establishment is now associating this presidency with such grassroot efforts. for shame…
anyway i guess i will stop there drew is making breakfast and its making me hungry.
yeah i read that boyd thing. ironic indeed. let us also not forget kings giant triplets of racism, economic exploitation, and militarism.
if the purpose or larger dream of the civil rights movement was to make sure that everyone has an equal right or chance to participate in the worlds power over systems then i suppose i have issues with that. i have always felt that the heart of the critiques of those "under foot" were rooted in not who held power but in the very nature of power itself. that in my limited knowledge was the larger point of MLK legacy and that is why i admire him as a Christian.
while perception maybe a lot of peoples reality it does not change the reality of the gospel. and it frankly worries me that the powers are going to use this moment (as they do all american "victories") to further convince the Church that the gospel of the america and the gospel of the cross can indeed walk hand in hand.
i do agree, i think america has moved to a different point in race matters. but that said i grew up around white people and am still very convinced that we are still deeply prejudice toward minorities (blacks in particular) and just work it out in different ways. i think that the racism that stems from such prejudice is suppressed more by a firewall of luxury (riches) then by peoples hearts actually changing.
whites still generally do not have real relationships with blacks or other minorities. if that were changing significantly i would be more inclined to believe that obamas election is a true step forward. that would make more sense to me. but that is not the case. if white america can vote for a black president but yet not really give a damn about a black man being executed on camera by the oakland PD a few weeks before the inauguration it makes me wonder if anything is really changing at all.
Hey, forgot to talk about this tonight. I think this would be a great discussion to continue in person. I think I'm much more in your camp then it might appear. Just wanted you to appreciate some of the meaning of the moment. 😉