Some were angry that a mirror was lifted. Those lashed out at Rev King. One shot him.
Others were angry that we had allowed ourselves to become so ugly. They joined in the marches and they promised to life their lives differently.
Looking into such a mirror today provides the same options.
White America is not in a position to judge how well we are doing. If white America to know how it is going, ask persons of color. Those voices are pretty consistent. Great strides have been made, but the most difficult steps still need to be taken. And some of the advances are in danger of being reversed.
What Rev King preached, Jesus had already said. Every child is a child of God. All are precious in God's eyes. Our brothers and sisters are not determined by blood line but by the baptismal waters.
It begins with confession - confessing how we have been blind to the realities of others, how we have ignored their struggle, and how we have participated (even profited) from an unfair social structure. It continues with repentance - with looking for even the smallest way in which we can turn our life around and life differently. If we claim we don't know what we can do, we can start by merely finding opportunities to be in the presence of those who are holding up that mirror. We too often wait for someone to come to us; we could go to where they are. And there we can learn together what steps might be taken.
On this ML King Day, look in the mirror and see with honest eyes. Discover how you might alter the image.
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