"Our lives begin to end the day we become
silent about the things that matter." MLK Jr
In
honor of a tremendous man who inspired a nation and the world, I would like to
take some time to reflect on the example set by Martin Luther King Jr. The quote above is one of my favors, but more
than that it always causes a rumbling in my spirit that pushes me to act. Why?
Because in honest reflection of my life, I must admit that often I choose
to be silent about things that matter.
Like
it or not, I exist in a position of power.
I am American, middle-class, and white.
Remaining silent in the face of injustice is easy. It is comfortable. It takes no effort or intentional NOT to
act. Sure there are circumstances in
which I am the voiceless and marginalized, but I am also aware that I have
power and influence. Therefore to remain
silent is to push those in the margins of society further into the
shadows.
Inaction
is action, because whether intentional or not my failure to act does not
contribute to the reconciliation of the world…it deters it. Will I seek to hear the voiceless? Will I fight to empower those who are told
they do not have a say? Will I make
space at the table for all points of view to be heard?
Injustice
sadly did not end with the civil rights movement. Injustice is something we must all continue
to fight to rectify. As a person of
faith and integrity Martin Luther King Jr fought injustice. He did not remain silent and he inspired
others to speak and act. “Our lives
begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.” Let us not be silent this day. May we never be silent. May we continue to fight injustice and fight
for all people to have a voice.
