Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Determined to Reverse the Racial Status Quo
by Dr. Philip J. Rogers
The message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one based on social justice equality for black Americans. As a 26-year-old minister in Birmingham, Alabama, King began his public involvement as a civil rights advocate to dispel years of American racial inequality. He joined a growing list of resisters against such inequality who received brutal, life threatening pushback from those determined to maintain white superiority. What we witnessed on Wednesday, January 6 was an internationally televised violent insurrection against racial equality in America. Those anarchists believe the election was stolen by black voters who were historically prevented from having the right to election parity through the vote.
The loathing of non-whites in America was demonstrated on many platforms throughout American history. A student of racial history, King was keenly aware of Andrew Jackson, for instance, the 7th president of the United States, who signed the 1830 Indian Removal Act which led to the “Trail of Tears” during his infamous “Jacksonian Era.” What is not common knowledge in American history textbooks is his administration’s condoning of racial hatred propaganda during regularly staged public music performances on American stages by defaming and vilifying black slaves as “black face” buffoons and inferior monkeys of limited intelligence. Abolitionists arose to challenge these and other socially discriminatory acts and continually encountered acts of violence and death.
One such abolitionist, John Brown, was killed at Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia in 1859 with the grandfather of American poet, Langston Hughes who chose, along with other slaves, to stand up and revolt for their rights to freedom.
Fannie Lou Hamer ran for Congress in 1964 because she was “sick and tired of being sick and tired” of continued racial voter discrimination by the American government that refused to recognize the personhood and intellect of black Americans as equals.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. popularized the term, “The Beloved Community” first coined by philosopher-theologian, Josiah Royce. Dr. Jeff Ritterman, M.D. noted:
“The King Center was founded by Coretta Scott King to further the goals of Martin Luther King. According to the Center,
Dr. King’s Beloved Community is a global vision in which all people can share in the wealth of the earth. In the Beloved Community, poverty, hunger and homelessness will not be tolerated because international standards of human decency will not allow it. Racism and all forms of discrimination, bigotry and prejudice will be replaced by an all-inclusive spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood.
How is King’s Beloved Community a prescription for a healthy society? Fundamental to the concept of the Beloved Community is inclusiveness, both economic and social. The notion that all can share in Earth’s bounty describes a society in which the social product is shared far more equally than it is in today’s world. The Beloved Community also describes a society in which all are embraced and none discriminated against. Economic and social justice are the twin pillars supporting the Beloved Community.
In highly unequal countries like the United States, health outcomes and social well-being suffer. The King Center addresses one of the key public health challenges of our time by emphasizing a fairer sharing of the social product and an elimination of poverty and homelessness.”
In Dr. King’s final speech at a Memphis church in April 1968 he told the congregation that, “I’ve been to the mountain top…. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we as a people will get to the promised land. And I’m happy tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.” In her lyrics for the song, The Battle Hymn of the Republic, Julia Ward Howe further wrote, “His Truth is marching on.” The truth of equal justice and freedom for all humankind is the ultimate goal. The concept of equal justice has been scorned and embattled by lesser minds hungry for power, wealth, racial and social dominion for centuries.
What we witnessed last Wednesday, January 6 was yet another demonstration of resistance to the idea of racial, social, economic, voter equality and justice for black and brown citizens of America – a racist proclamation that has existed in this country and internationally for centuries, but destined to be overturned.
In the depth of Winter lies the hope of Spring and the Pagan Wheel of the Year turns to celebrate this phenomenon with Imbolc. Please join NWUUC Hawk’s Hoop CUUPS to celebrate Imbolc with a virtual ritual Sunday, January 31 at 12pm. 
This film shows how the The Chicago Black Panther Party, the Latino group Young Lords Organization, and the Young Patriots organization banded together in 1969 to confront issues such as police brutality and substandard housing. Here is a link to where you can watch it for free. 
