This translation is not completely accurate as it was automatically generated by a computer.
Powered by
A UMNS Feature
By Bishop Woodie W. White*
7:00 A.M. ET Jan. 16, 2012
Editor’s note: Bishop Woodie W. White, the first chief executive
of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race, writes a
“birthday letter” each year to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in which
the bishop reflects on the progress of racial equality in the United
States.
Bishop Woodie W. White pens his annual “birthday letter” to the late
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in advance of the civil rights leader’s
Jan. 15th birthday.
A UMNS web-only file video image.
Dear Martin:
I reflect on race in America on this sunny, wintry day. I do so as
the nation prepares to remember your birth date and what you did in
your short life to change a nation and influence the world. We now know
even better what a remarkable contribution you made and the legacy you
left us.
I am especially mindful today of a recent experience shared with me
by an African-American friend. Invited to participate in worship — that
included an observance of the Sacrament of Holy Communion at a nearby
predominantly white congregation — my friend had gladly responded.
It was when he helped distribute the bread and juice that one couple
caused the solemnity of the occasion to turn a bit sour. They refused
to take the elements from black hands! It was an awkward moment, but my
friend moved on to more welcoming hands and faces.
Obviously, the biased couple did not take seriously the words
uttered by the pastor only moments earlier: “Ye that do truly and
earnestly repent of your sins, and are in love and charity with your
neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of
God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways: Draw near with
faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort, and make your
humble confession to almighty God.”
My friend and I put the incident in perspective. It was one couple
out of hundreds! Those two individuals should not characterize either
white people or the congregation. Yet the sting of racial prejudice,
whether coming from hundreds or from a single individual, is a sting
nonetheless.
Perhaps that is the difficulty of navigating race in America as an
identified racial minority — that is, the unpredictability of
encountering racism in day-to-day living. One must always be prepared.
It can manifest itself in so many different places and in so many
different forms. In a classroom or office, at a department store
counter, in a committee meeting or in a casual conversation, even at
the Table of the Lord. One simply never knows.
America’s stubborn virus?
The Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial in Washington was dedicated by President Obama on Oct. 16, 2011.
A UMNS photo courtesy of Maille Bradfield.
View in Photo Gallery
Martin, in 1944 the discussion of race in America was characterized
by the famed Swedish social scientist Gunnar Myrdal in his study
titled "An American Dilemma." He described the race problem in America
as the contradiction between segregation and discrimination on the one
hand, and on the other, the American ideal of freedom, equality and
justice for all. In 2012, I wonder if race might better be described as
America’s stubborn virus.
Many years ago, I likened racism to Johnson grass, that tough,
elusive type of grass that seems to defy destruction. When it appears
to be eradicated, it shows up elsewhere. It can even grow through tiny
cracks in cement! One thinks it’s gone and then discovers it was only
dormant.
That may have been the mistake of those who claimed we were in a
“post-racial” era following the election of the first African-American
as president of the United States.
Martin, you would undoubtedly be overwhelmed with the progress made
in America in the past 40 years. Only those who did not know the
pre-Civil Rights America could or would claim the country has not
changed. But Martin, it has not changed enough!
I continue to marvel at the general silence about race and the
American presidency. While recent studies still conclude that white and
black Americans view race differently, I can think of no place where
that is more glaringly true than in the assessment of the current
presidential administration. Black Americans view the president as
having been disrespected, unduly criticized, his accomplishments
dismissed and minimized. However, when media pundits make the same
observation, they simply ask with wonderment, “Why?” None or few point
to an underlying race factor.
When the United States lost its bid to host the 2016 Summer
Olympics, some Americans actually cheered because our president had
supported the nation’s bid! For many black Americans, we are convinced
there are those who would rather see the country fail than see the
first African-American as president succeed. Martin, in the psyche of
many Americans, race trumps all else — patriotism and even theology!
One must be quick, very quick, Martin, to note that even those who
would return America to a pre-Civil Rights era are bound to failure.
Attempts to politicize race in the 21st century — as it was in the 20th
century — will not succeed. Even laws enacted by some state
legislatures that are interpreted as measures to “suppress” the vote of
black and brown Americans and otherwise disenfranchise these voters
will not stand. America and Americans have changed too much for that to
happen, however much it may appear otherwise.
Not just political but moral issue
The Rev. Joseph E. Lowery (with microphone) leads the singing of “We
Shall Overcome” during his 90th birthday celebration Oct. 9, 2011 at the
Atlanta Symphony Hall.
A UMNS photo by Kathleen Barry.
View in Photo Gallery
Besides, Martin, you reminded us that racial justice and equality,
in the final analysis, are not merely political issues but moral ones!
We are not simply working for an America that is fair, but a nation
that is morally and ethically just. Racial or religious bigotry has no
place in such a nation or society. We are a family not just of nations
but the family of God. God’s children, all.
Martin, let me close with the words of our beloved colleague, the
Rev. Joe Lowery, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday, and is
still protesting, and championing the cause of justice, even on a cane!
In his book, "Singing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land," Dr. Lowery
reminds us all:
“. . . We must not let anybody quench our spirits, nor dim our
lights, nor mute our trumpets, nor silence our voices! We must not let
them work harder, love more dearly, vote more faithfully! We must not
let them turn back the clock. We have marched too long, prayed too
hard, bled too profusely, and died too young to let anybody turn back
the clock on our journey to justice!”
Happy Birthday, Martin! We Shall Overcome!
Woodie
*White is the denomination’s Endorsing Agent for Chaplain Ministries
and bishop-in-residence at Candler School of Theology. This commentary
originally appeared in the United Methodist Reporter.
News media contact: Heather Hahn, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
Glad you liked it. Would you like to share?
Showing 11 comments
Reactions