When I was about 8 or 9 years old my dad and I were driving around Memphis, his hometown and where I would visit during the summer. He drove by this white, run-down motel and said “That is where Martin Luther King Jr. was shot.” Of course I knew about Martin Luther King Jr., every kid did, but I had no idea a part of his history was so close at hand. Until that moment, he was a really good man who lived and died an age away, in black and white. My dad continued to tell me how scary that day was for everyone in Memphis as they fully expected a massive riot. Thankfully that didn’t happen.
I don’t know all of the details of what is taking place in Ferguson, but I think there are some lessons we can learn from Dr. King. He changed history with his words and peaceful actions. His ability to speak with wisdom and patience — incredible rhetoric that is still being studied today — moved people in ways that violence never could.
What are your thoughts?
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The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace, and brotherhood. – Martin Luther King Jr.