Honoring Martin Luther King

Whether they identify themselves as conservative or liberal or independent, most Americans now appreciate the pivotal leadership of Martin Luther King in the Civil Rights movement. It was not always so. King had many critics both within and outside the movement, including black radicals and ardent segregationists. Even some opponents of segregation considered King unreasonable for refusing to accept a ‘gradualist’ approach to Civil Rights.

Segregation was supposedly premised on the idea of separate but equal facilities, such as public schools. But this was a great lie. In fact, segregation was premised on the vicious idea of subordinating African-Americans by refusing to treat them as equal before the law.Although King did not hold elected office, no one can deny his political acumen and sound judgment. The Civil Rights movement brought about the end of segregation in public schools and in places of public accommodation, such as restaurants and hotels. But it would be wrong to praise King only for his political skill. Let us not forget that his leadership rested on the great truths of the Christian faith. And in providing such leadership during a prolonged national crisis, King prevented those great truths from being permanently distorted.

The distortion was evident when defenders of segregation, citing the ‘Curse of Canaan’ in Genesis 9:18-27, claimed that God wanted persons of African descent to be relegated to a separate and subordinate position in society. King challenged that false and harmful idea. There was no biblical warrant for segregation, he maintained, because the Christian message is about the love that should take root among all God’s children. In preaching that message, King transformed the public understanding of Christianity, even in states strongly committed to segregation.

For this achievement and others, we at The King’s College honor the man on Monday, January 16. The holiday presents an opportunity for everyone in our community to reflect on the life and inspired leadership of an extraordinary American.

Dr. David L. Tubbs is as an associate professor of politics at The King’s College.