MLK

"the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be. will we be extremists for hate or for love? will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice?"

this week i am thankful for dr. martin luther king jr. and his Letter from Birmingham Jail. I've read this letter before, but for some reason the words are much more powerful for me as i read it to prepare for a class discussion in the freshmen seminar class that i am TAing for.

why is this man important? why does he deserve a holiday in his name on a cold monday in january? there are many reasons why he deserves recognition: his passion for reconciliation, his relentless pursuit of justice for the oppressed, his thoughtful words and moving speeches. yet this time as i reflect on his letter, i am amazed by his vision for the kingdom of God. and this is what has been so meaningful to me as i have reflected on it in the past couple of days.

one theme throughout his letter is that of time and urgency. one of the charges made against him is that his behavior is "unwise and untimely" and that instead of participating in demonstrations, he should be taking these concerns to the courts and let the courts work through the process of reconciliation and equality.

"justice too long delayed is justice denied" (503)

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"human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts of men willing to be co-workers with God, and without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation" (508)

yet king points out that we are called to kingdom work now. i believe that Jesus calls us to respond to his message and choose to participate in the work he began, not by our own merit, but by his love and grace. dr. king was disappointed that members of the church were operating with a different vision of the kingdom - a distant, far-removed concept that would only come into play after death and at heaven's gates. i find dr. king's vision of the kingdom as a present kingdom (although not yet fully present) and one in which we can find great joy and peace if we choose to participate in it now. what a privilege to participate in this kingdom, despite our brokenness and weakness.

dr. king speaks with eloquence and knowledge that is inspiring. it's especially inspiring to me as i enter into the world of academia again. dr. king was ACTIVE in what he believed, yet he was also a critical thinker. he quotes philosophers and theologians, which to me shows great intellectual thought - and thought that furthered his arguments and action. sometimes it is easy to separate thought from action or to delegitimate the study we do in the classroom. yet when dr. king sites the work of philosophers and theologians, i am more convinced that studying machiavelli and marx this semester is worthy of my energy. hopefully another semester of critical thinking, intense studying, and looking back into history will make me a better thinker, and as a better thinker, a better active-ist (not in the sense of activist yelling on the street), but an informed person of action, whose actions are backed up with thought and attention to what really matters.

dr. king's words are also a challenge to me. he was disappointed with the church, particularly the "white moderate." i'm a part of the church. and i am white. but i hope to not find myself within the apathetic "white moderate" who says "those are social issues, with which the gospel has no real concern" (511). i hope to be an "extremist for love" as king states. but i hope to do that in response to the greatest love that i have experienced: the love and blessing of Christ.

if you're looking for something inspiring, uplifting, motivating, or something filled with a message of justice and shalom, i encourage you to read Letter to Birmingham Jail. i hope you'll be as blessed as i am.