Lessons From Our Fathers

The convergence of three events calls on each of us to reflect on our moral obligation, individually and as members of a community, to work actively to make the world a better place.

We begin, first, with the words of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who would have celebrated his 80th birthday on January 15th, though it is today that we are given “A Day On, Not a Day Off” to reflect on his moral, political, social, and spiritual teachings. From his Letter from a Birmingham Jail:

“I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season." Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.”

Next, we offer some words from President Abraham Lincoln, whose Bicentennial Celebration (in commemoration of his birth on February 12, 1809) began this month:

“If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any business. I do the very best I know how--the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me won’t amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten thousand angels swearing I was right would make no difference.”

Tomorrow, we begin a new era, with the Inauguration of President Barack Obama. Perhaps he said it best, when announcing his intent to run for the highest office in the land, he stated:

“The genius of our founders is that they designed a system of government that can be changed. And we should take heart, because we've changed this country before. In the face of tyranny, a band of patriots brought an Empire to its knees. In the face of secession, we unified a nation and set the captives free. In the face of Depression, we put people back to work and lifted millions out of poverty. We welcomed immigrants to our shores, we opened railroads to the west, we landed a man on the moon, and we heard a King's call to let justice roll down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream.

Each and every time, a new generation has risen up and done what's needed to be done. Today we are called once more - and it is time for our generation to answer that call. For that is our unyielding faith - that in the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it.”

Now, let’s get to work!