Rev Bill

I will attend several activities today in memory of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Reidsville has a Unity Breakfast sponsored by the Reidsville branch of the NAACP and the City Council, a speech on the steps of City Hall, and a service later in the afternoon. It is a good way to commemorate the dream — and the work — of a great man.
Dr. King was not popular for many white southerners such as myself while I was growing up. My friends saw him as a "rabble rouser" — someone who stirred up trouble. My Dad tried to tell me my friends were wrong, but I still believed what they said — not what Dad said.
Dad had a special connection — somewhat — with the Civil Rights movement. He was a City Magistrate in Rock Hill, SC in the early 1960′s when several black    staged a sit – in at the local Woolworth’s store. This was not the famous sit – in that took place in Greensboro, NC but was still an attempt at equal rights — in this case equal service at a restaurant. Dad had the dubious honor of interpreting South Carolina law at the time — which clearly stated that an owner of a restaurant could refuse service to any one — at any time — for any reason they chose. Thus, the black students were breaking the law — simply by trying to get service at a restaurant. Dad never liked having to make that decision — and regretted it — but he had no choice — that was what the law said. Some time later, as a state legislator, he worked to get the law changed.
Anyway — Dad always tried to persuade me that Dr. King was not the "rabble rouser" I thought he was — but someone who was trying to fight for equality for all people.
Well, years later, I understood.
While in Seminary began reading some of the writings of Dr. King and Mahatma Gandhi. I found that they were committed to peace, unity, and equality. I found that they were brave men who were willing to fight — and die — for the cause of justice. I began to have great admiration for them — and began to work for some of the same causes they worked for.
I found a sermon that Dr. King once preached that has become one of my favorites. It’s called "The Drum Major Instinct". King talked about how many want to be the "drum major" — in front of the parade — getting attention. He exhorts his listeners to be drum majors — to lead the way — but in service — in doing for others — in showing love.
Dr. King — I confess that I was wrong about you. No — you were not a "rabble rouser" — but a brave man committed to serving others and working for others.
Dad — I was wrong, you were right. I admit it. You knew all along that social justice — that equality — were things to work for. Even when you had to make decisions you did not like, you worked to change the rules that made you make those decisions so others would not have to make them.
May I live a life of dignity, work for justice, and help others — like Dad and Dr. King.
Dr. King ended his sermon "The Drum Major Instinct" in this way:

If I can help somebody as I pass along, If I can cheer somebody with a word or song, If I can show somebody he’s traveling wrong, Then my living will not be in vain. If I can do my duty as a Christian ought, If I can bring salvation to a world once wrought, If I can spread the message as the master taught, Then my living will not be in vain. Yes, Jesus, I want to be on your right or your left side, (Yes) not for any selfish reason. I want to be on your right or your left side, not in terms of some political kingdom or ambition. But I just want to be there in love and in justice and in truth and in commitment to others, so that we can make of this old world a new world.

And all God’s people say: Amen.

Until next time – Shalom! Bill

You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.