“If Dr. King Were Here Today”

The Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. was one
of my favorite scholars and theologians. His writings and teachings have
greatly inspired me in my calling to be a prophetic advocate for social justice
for all of God’s children. I have long felt that far too many people speak only
of Dr. King’s legacy as civil rights leader. More than that, he was truly a
human rights leader, community organizer, social justice activist and prophet.

Dr. King talked about dismantling
Apartheid long before it was in vogue to do so. He offered very harsh critiques
of capitalism and was a target of both Joseph McCarthy and J. Edgar Hoover. He
was openly critical of the US War in Vietnam. He was a staunch supporter of
workers’ rights and economic justice. Although the “I Have a Dream” speech is
what most people remember about the March on Washington in 1963, we must not
forget that this March was organized to advocate for economic opportunity and
economic justice. When Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, he was in
Memphis, Tennessee advocating for striking sanitation workers. In the months
leading up to his death, he was moving full speed ahead in organizing the Poor
People’s Campaign.

The Beloved Community

Martin Luther King, Jr. had a vision for a Beloved
Community. According to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent
Social Change, “Dr. King’s Beloved Community is a global vision in which all
people can share in the wealth of the earth. In the Beloved Community, poverty,
hunger and homelessness will not be tolerated because international standards
of human decency will not allow it. Racism and all forms of discrimination and
bigotry and prejudice will be replaced by an all-inclusive spirit of sisterhood
and brotherhood. In the Beloved Community, international disputes will be
resolved by peaceful conflict resolution and reconciliation of adversaries,
instead of military power. Love and trust will triumph over fear and hatred.
Peace and justice will prevail over war and military conflict.”

If Dr. King were with us today, he
would write or say that we still have a long way to go to attain the envisioned
Beloved Community. He would probably remind us of the warning he gave us on
April 4, 1967, exactly one year before his assassination: “We as a nation must
undergo a radical revolution of values. When machines and computers, profit
motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the
giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism, and militarism are incapable of
being conquered.” These senseless wars we have fought for the past eight years
and the near total collapse of our economy are evidence that King’s words were
prophetic.

The Controversial Prophet

Although he was a man of peace and nonviolence, he
did not avoid conflict. The Progressive Baptist Convention was formed because
of a split due to opposition to King in the National Baptist Convention. Many
persons who celebrated his legacy after his death vilified him while he was
alive. Dr. King was true to his convictions no matter who he angered or
offended. King said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in
moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge
and controversy.” He was not afraid of controversy.

If he were with us today, he would be
glad the Iraq war is ending but would want the Afghanistan war to end as well.
If he were with us today, he would fully support the 99 percent. If he were
with us today, he would be appalled at Congress playing political football with
unemployment insurance benefits. If he were with us today, he would favor
universal access to quality healthcare for all human beings. If he were with us
today, he would favor humane, compassionate immigration reform that keeps
families together. If he were with us today, he would oppose treating
corporations as individuals regarding political campaign contributions. If he
were with us today, he would support an equitable tax structure where
millionaires and billionaires paid their fair share. If he were with us today,
he would oppose the government balancing the budget on the backs of the poor,
college students, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, unemployed
persons, nursing home residents, veterans, the most vulnerable among us and
those least able to afford it. If Dr. King were alive today, he would exhort
all of us to be drum majors for justice.