MLK Day in our community was observed by an outdoor service and reading of Martin Luther King Jr’s “I have a dream” speech on the City Hall steps. It was profound and sobering to hear these words. My heart still doesn’t know what to make of some things. Like the fact that many people showed up but only our family and two other white people were there. One of which was the Mayor and another politician. Maybe it’s because of the uncomfortable feeling I had and even whispered to my husband out of the corner of my mouth, “Are we supposed to be here? Or are we intruding?” He quietly said, “I know how you’re feeling but no, we’re not intruding. It’s the right thing.”
All the men and women on those steps were part of the Ministerial Alliance and our friends so I’m not sure why I felt uncomfortable. Randy has preached in their churches for revival services and they preached and led worship in ours. We celebrate Holy week every year together and walk the streets together remembering our crucified Lord. I know they love and accept us for who we are and we love and accept them for who they are but still I had an uncomfortable feeling that possibly we were intruding. It was right in this moment of doubt that one of the Minister’s grabbed Randy’s hand and led him to the steps to join them in leading our community in remembering Martin Luther King Jr.
My husband and his pale little face and khaki pants in the midst of slick suits on black men. But it was a beautiful picture of the very essence of Martin Luther King’s dream. A few minutes later a lady from behind me made her way through the crowd and grabbed my hand and she held it. There we stood holding hands communicating to each other that there was no intrusion that day. We were blessed beyond measure. Our children spoke of the power of this service and were impacted by it greatly. And I stop and think what if the fear of intrusion kept us from attending this service.
Your post is immensely touching to me as a biracial person. I read a post by a journalist who said MLK “belongs” to black people and not white people. I didn’t agree at all. While, yes, MLK did stop the reign of terror on black people in the South, by his own words, he considered white people an integral part of the movement. The night before he died when he delivered the Mountaintop speech, he chose to read a letter sent to him by a white girl and he always talked about equality and togetherness not further separation. I think you honored Dr. King with your decision to attend.
Thank you Laura for those words of encouragement. Our intent was to honor Martin Luther King with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and I trust that was accomplished.
Beautiful!
When we celebrated MLK day this year, we went to a rally and I would say there was decent turn out, but the entire time I was there, I wondered where all of the people were. In my eyes, the rally should have been packed out: a beautiful day, loads of speakers, a rocking band, cool signs, great messages…people should show.
It reminds me of the block party in my neighborhood this summer, the one only a handful of neighbors showed up at. Why wouldn’t you go to a block party? I think when people plan in the name of God or good, you should show.
So glad you showed up and participated.
“we’re not intruding. It’s the right thing.” – Yes, yes yes. What a beautiful picture….
As a Caucasian mom to an African American adopted daughter, nothing touches me more than seeing all people UNITE as one…regardless of ethnicity, or the color of ones skin! So glad you all went, that you pushed away fear and stepped up to support what MLKJ represented! Beautiful!