Dear JFA
Readers:
Today as we celebrate the life of "the first lady of the
civil rights movement," we want to share with you some of her
own words. We thank our friends at ADA Watch for bringing this
article by Coretta Scott King, as well as the
introductory
paragraph, to our attention. And we send our condolences to
her family and her close friends.
As we engage in the daily struggle to build a truly inclusive
community, let us reflect on Mrs. King's encouraging words to
unify America in a "beautiful symphony of brotherhood" and
sisterhood. To quote Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who asked
in 1967 -- Where do we go from here: chaos or community?
_____________________________________________________________
"The struggle against racial injustice must continue. But
justice requires that we be equally vigilant in protesting
against all forms of bigotry, prejudice and discrimination
based on religion, gender, nationality, sexual orientation,
age, physical or mental disability and other kinds of
injustice that degrade the quality of life for millions of
citizens."
Building
the Beloved Community
By Coretta Scott King (1927-2006)
---------------------------------
In the "I Have A Dream" speech, delivered by
my husband, Martin
Luther King, Jr. in 1963, he challenged the nation to eliminate
racial injustice, and he filled the hearts and souls of
freedom-loving Americans with his clarion call to unify
in "a beautiful symphony of brotherhood."
It has been a long time since we heard our political leaders
talk about brotherhood and sisterhood, hasn't it? Yet,
I
believe that the full rainbow of humanity has not been tossed
on these shores by mere coincidence, but to provide an
irresistible demonstration of community for the rest of the
world. Our strivings to meet this challenge is the great work
of democracy. When this vision of unity is finally fulfilled
throughout the nation, then the
will become a reality.
And a daunting challenge it is. Despite significant progress in
reducing racial justice, racism is still a brutally-destructive
force in
discrimination in hiring, compensation, promotion, firing,
redlining, funding for education and admission to colleges.
The struggle against racial injustice must continue. But
justice requires that we be equally vigilant in protesting
against all forms of bigotry, prejudice and discrimination
based on religion, gender, nationality, sexual orientation,
age, physical or mental disability and other kinds of injustice
that degrade the quality of life for millions of citizens.
Brotherhood and sisterhood is not only about group identity,
but also respect for diverse political beliefs. This is also a
cornerstone of our democracy and a great source of strength for
our nation. In this election year, our challenge is to conduct
the dialogue of democracy on a high plane of civility, to
respect the dignity and personhood of our political
adversaries, even as we disagree on issues and matters of
policy.
We have learned that no single group can fulfill the Dream by
itself. Yet, together we can co-create a society rooted in
multicultural brotherhood and sisterhood, in which all citizens
can have a fulfilling, productive life.
During the Civil Rights Movement, we welcomed people of all
races to join with us in the nonviolent struggle for racial
justice. We learned that inclusiveness was not just a political
goal, but also the way to bring greater justice and unity to
we can learn to live together."
We have also learned that legislative reforms can reduce
discrimination, but no laws can change attitudes. To make the
great ideals of brotherhood and sisterhood a reality, we have
to create a revolution in the heart.
My husband frequently used the term "the beloved community" to
describe the kind of society, in which every person was valued
and where all conflicts could be reconciled in a spirit of
goodwill and mutual benefit. We are still struggling to make
in a climate of understanding, cooperation and unity
We have to do a lot more consciousness-raising to
build the
great coalition of all races and cultures needed to make his
dream a reality. We must work together with an energetic
determination to build new bridges of understanding and trust,
cooperation and goodwill between our communities. Everyone can
make this important contribution to fulfilling the dream.
We can also help by increasing support for educational programs
that teach respect for different races, religions and cultures
to young people. We must develop new and more creative ways to
better educate all children and inoculate them against the
toxic viruses of racism, sexism, homophobia, anti-semitism,
xenophobia and all forms of bigotry.
In his 1967 book, "Where Do We Go From Here:
Chaos Or
Community?" Martin wrote "In the final analysis, our loyalties
must become ecumenical rather than sectional," he said. "Every
nation must now develop an overriding loyalty to mankind as a
whole in order to preserve the best in their individual
societies...This call for a world-wide fellowship that lifts
neighborly concern beyond one's tribe, race, class and nation
is in reality a call for an all-embracing and unconditional
love for all."
With this commitment, the 21st century can herald a new age of
hope and harmony for our troubled world. May we, the people of
all races, religions and nations, have the vision and courage
to create the global community of caring and compassion, where
all people can live together in peace and justice.
Coretta Scott
King