Is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s Iconic Message being canceled?
Why does no one care about the content of our character anymore?
On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered one of the most iconic speeches in modern history. His “I Have a Dream” speech was a call for freedom and equality. The most common quote from this civil rights movement defining moment speech has been smothered in divisive politics and culture that wants payback and revenge instead of the message delivered on that historical day.
I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.…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 right there in Alabama, little Black boys and Black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
Freely come together as individuals with different cultures, beliefs, and ideas.
Let’s concentrate on the content of our character instead of race, sex, sexual preference, or ideology. Any organization that elevates or suppresses one element of our humanity and says they believe in the message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a hypocrite. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did not divide but brought people together. We must talk and have a relationship.
From beautiful snowflakes to a pile of snow.
Currently, there is nowhere in the free world that has a focus on “content of character”. The current push is to not question but obey. Like gathering snow into one big snowball we are not allowed to be snowflakes anymore. We are forced to be one big pile of snow. Why not celebrate our differences? I was always amazed at how wonderful it was to learn that there are no two snowflakes the same. I find seeing individual snowflakes fall far more beautiful, inspiring, and interesting than a pile of snow.
Equity is not equal when one entity is elevated over another.
Companies have Human Resource departments with a focus on race, gender, sexuality, and other individual traits instead of who is most qualified and capable. All I know is that if I need a doctor all I care about is the most capable and qualified available to deal with my ailment. Politics, religion, sexuality, or anything else is simply not a factor. The current “equity” strategy is fleeting and cannot last as those that are affected by this strategy will go somewhere else. God said very clearly in Romans 2:11;
For there is no partiality with God. NKJ
God loves all of us the same.
God and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. seem to be on one side of the equation with the media and our leaders on the other. God knows our hearts and all that God created is very good as said in Genesis 1:31;
Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. NKJ
Why can’t we just accept the fact that God, who created us, says everything, including you and I, is very good? We all have different gifts. Why not let those that have them shine in the area they are particularly very good at. If we don’t, aren’t we forcing a square peg in a round hole? It doesn’t work.
Eliminate the “isms”
Pure logic tells us that if we divide individuals on the basis of their race it is racism. Or, on the basis of their sex, it is sexism and so on. No matter what the motive is there is no end unless we have a level field for all. We need to quit dividing and start emphasizing the content of our character otherwise we are doomed.
When is it ever okay to be a member of any group and take advantage of an individual or other group?
If someone burns property, oppresses, insults, loots, victimizes, or murders in the name of some misguided belief then they are partial and not of God. If our children, no matter what their background, are not able to participate in anything because of their race, religion, sex, sexual persuasion, or anything other than the “content of their character” then Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech is empty.
So, if I am not a racist, a sexist, a homophobe, or a hater of any sort, why does it make sense that someone or some organization, who doesn’t know anything about me, has the ability to label me as such? Are they not simply expressing the same behavior they are trying to project on to me? There is no winner in this scenario and it is what is going on right now.
Does it simply come down to money, or power, or both? We know that the “if it bleeds, it leads” media depends on drama, or “Breaking News” to get better ratings. We also know that drama and controversy are usually what get politicians elected. When do we say, “stop!”
The tide is turning.
Well, at least in my circle of friends and my general feeling, most have started to pay less attention to the divisive narrative and more attention to the sources that stay on point. I can say this with authority as television viewership for news and information is way down. The trust is gone. The absolutely terrible ratings for this year’s Oscars, or Academy Awards, are just a small example. Everyday folks don’t appreciate a popular entertainer, or some sports figure telling them how to think. They want to be entertained and not bullied into thinking a certain way. The line has been crossed and these individuals and entities are seeing the repercussions. The power of the people is speaking.
Character matters
Our character is who we are and we are so much more than our skin color, sex, sexuality, religion, or anything else. This is what matters. The only way we can know the content of the character of someone is if we know a lot more about them than what we see on the surface.
The content of our character is the power that will never be canceled.
The message I am hoping to get across is that we can all concentrate on the content of everyone’s character instead of race, sex, sexual preference, politics, or ideology. When something divisive is forced, it is always, according to Newton’s third law, met by an equal and opposite force. Therefore, there will always be resistance and never peace. Force is man-made and power is of God. Everything man-made is temporary. God is eternal. God is Love. (1John 4:8). Peace only happens when we are allowed to have a conversation in Love and openly discuss different points of view without being oppressed. We all possess character. Our character is defined by how we deal with challenges and not by anything else. Force cannot compete with the power we all have and not just some of us. The content of our character is where the power is. I hope this is the dream of everyone. Peace.