Post by gatordog on Feb 8, 2008 13:27:32 GMT -5
Little bit of old news, but this is nice DH LTE during MLK day period (1/21). There is a lot of positive things said about our area's school diversity. (plus other things to think about)
'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 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