Local essays: King's influence all around us
On this day set aside to honor and remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we asked several area residents to share their thoughts about the impact the civil rights leader has had on their lives and our communities. Here's what some of them had to say:
'The struggle for change continues'
The legacy of Dr. King and his countless supporters made the greatest human investment a person can make. They took a stand to create change and improve the lives of others.
They stood in the space of wilderness where hate, prejudice and ignorance clouded them in every direction. They faced the confrontation of a nation that was divided in its ethics and values.
The justification of racism in the church proved that the force of resistance of equality was in the very fiber of the makeup of this country.
Dr. King's voice resonated through the spirit of a dream for change. He and his army of visionaries created a bridge that connected over a gap that allowed people of this country a way to realize significant progress toward an appreciation for difference, and a willingness to take steps toward transformation.
As the movement continues today, we must understand that the journey still has a long path. We must equip ourselves with knowledge, compassion, unity and focus. The struggle for change continues. We must live out the dream.
-- Mario Lambert of Naperville, vice president of the DuPage branch of the NAACP
'He gave us all a chance to dream'
"I have a dream."
I mean come on, who doesn't? It's following it that counts.
Martin Luther King Jr. chased after a dream and made it a reality. He is one of the most widely honored figures in American history.
It is true King's movement faltered in the concluding stages of his life, but that still didn't stop him. His influence on us is a major part of our history and perspective on things. King's actions told everyone that if you have a dream, you should follow it even if no one wants it to happen.
Why war? Why violence? Martin Luther King Jr. asked everyone these questions. He wanted a peaceful community even though there is always some confrontation in a town, community or nation.
He proved that something could be won without violence and with talking. King's name and legacy have often been invoked since his death as people have to debate where he would have stood on various modern political issues if he were alive today.
Like the war in Iraq. What would Dr. King have to say about that? Would he try to stop it or leave it alone? People everywhere are trying to follow in his footsteps.
Even after he died, his wife, Coretta Scott King, followed in his footsteps and was active in matters of social justice and civil rights until her death in 2006.
The day after King's assassination, a school teacher conducted her first "Blue Eyes/Brown eyes" exercise with her class of elementary school students in Riceville, Iowa. Her purpose was to help the kids understand King's death as it related to racial discrimination, something of which they had little knowledge while living in a predominately white community.
People around the U.S. and around the world try to follow in his footsteps, but no one could ever outshine the King himself: Martin Luther King Jr. He has given us all a chance to dream.
-- Alyssa Hernandez,
Student at Peacock
Middle School in Itasca
'He gave us courage to speak out'
I am not an educator, clergy person, politician, author or anything else along those lines.
I am a wife, mother of five grown children and grandmother of seven.
I was aware of Martin Luther King Jr. and what he did for the civil rights movement in the '60s. I remember well the day he was assassinated.
But this will not be about his life or work.
I have given some thought to how I see things in DuPage County today that might be reflections of his work.
Here are some things that come to mind:
• Many times, when I took my granddaughter to the playground at our local elementary school, the children would come out, either for recess or dismissal at the end of the day. I remember noting the diversity I observed. It seemed there were as many African-American, Hispanic, Asian, Indian or children from other cultures as there were Caucasians. I remember thinking this was different even from when my own children were in school.
• I have noticed there are more students at our local high schools and colleges that participate in memorial services during February, Black History Month. I do believe Dr. King has given them the courage to speak out for themselves and their rights. They feel they have a role model to follow during the course of their own lives.
• Every year during February, inevitably we see the tapes of Dr. King's marches, speeches, etc. When I see those tapes the feeling gnaws at me: What would I have done had I been there? Would I have cheered on the water hoses? Jeered at those being harassed? I think Dr. King has caused all of us to take a long look inside to see our own true feelings and take stock of what needs changing.
• I have become aware of more religious congregations reaching out and planning events and worship services together. This is a way for people from different cultures to become more comfortable with, and to understand, each other a little better.
• Dr. King spoke out against the Vietnam War during his day, and was not appreciated for this. Many thought he had no right to criticize the government in the ways he did. The way I look at this is that he always identified himself as a Christian -- not someone who just believed in Jesus Christ, but someone who felt it was important to follow the teachings of Jesus about "Loving Your Enemies" and "Putting Down the Sword."
He was adamant about non-violent resistance, and his perseverance in this as a way of life and protest has made more sense to all who truly seek peace. Those in the anti-war movement today are certain he would be against the present wars that are being waged in our name and would be appalled at the amount of money being spent on bigger and better weapons, while so many human needs go unmet.
• Dr. King was very much interested in justice. Today he would be working with the janitors, health-care workers and other low-paid service providers whose jobs are the first to be cut when there is a budget crunch.
• If Dr. King walked around our neighborhoods, I think he would be astounded at the size of some of the homes he would see. I don't think he would begrudge these people living in such luxury. He would be concerned however, about whether there were adequate, affordable homes close by for the people who cleaned those homes, took care of their lawns, delivered their owners' newspapers, taught their children, cared for them when they were ill, served them in restaurants and other places of business, or protected them from crime.
• Another thing Dr. King might observe today is that some motorists are still being stopped solely on the color of their skin. He would also note that consequences of not obeying the law seem to be much more severe for those of color than for those who happen to be white.
Again, these are just some of my own thoughts and observations. I consider it time well spent to meditate on the life, work and example of Martin Luther King Jr.
-- Rose Bagley
of Naperville,
a member of St. Thomas the Apostle's Pax Christi ministry
'He was constantly challenging all mankind'
It is a privilege to share my thoughts on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. I am a product of the movement and lived through the experience in Birmingham, Alabama.
I was always moved by the eloquent speech of Dr. King. As a young man I wanted to develop a vocabulary and master the art of public speaking like Dr. King.
However, I soon realized that it wasn't just the speaking ability that mattered, it was having something of substance to say that made the difference.
I quickly realized the value of education and community involvement. I did not realize that I would end up in ministry, which I truly love. I considered Dr. King speeches as sermons. He was constantly challenging all mankind to live out the calling of God on their lives.
It did not matter if you were a seamstress in Montgomery or a sanitation worked in Memphis, you were created in the image and likeness of God. You were created by God and given rights by our constitution.
I often wonder, "what would Dr. King think and say about some of our issues today?" While I would not dare attempt to speak for him, my imagination leads me to some interesting thoughts.
• What would Dr. King say about education? While little black boys and girls can sit in a classroom with other kids, still too many are relegated to remedial classes, special education and deemed uneducable. While we can attend any college or university, still too many athletes are playing football and basketball but never graduate with their degrees.
• What would Dr. King think about the war in Afghanistan and Iraq? Well, we know that he took an unpopular stance against the war in Vietnam. We know that he was a man of peace. I believe he would be disappointed that we could not settle our conflicts without bombs and bullets.
• What would Dr. King think about our political system? While it is exciting to have two major candidates who are a woman and an African-American male, it is unfortunate that the ugly beast of racism has now entered the race. It is equally disappointing that the Republican race is becoming a referendum on religion.
• What would Dr. King think about religion and the church? I believe he would challenge the church to do more to address the social ills of our community. At the heart of his mission was his calling of faith. Faith that we would all learn to love one another as God has loved us. We certainly can use more love in the world.
Yes, I often wonder what Dr. King would do, say or think today, but he is not here. So we must do, say and think the right things for all people. We must love our neighbors as ourselves. We must use Jesus as our model. We must strive for peace and justice for all mankind.
-- The Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond,
Pastor of Second Baptist Church of Elgin