Dr. King's Last Speech

During this period of the year in which we reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King’s life and legacy, I want to add my voice in the symphony of thought. Lately I have listened to Dr. King’s final speech in Memphis. That speech he made while in solidarity with the rights of working people. In it, he spoke of his trip to Jerusalem, where he toured the ancient land of David. While on his trip, he and Mrs. King drove to Jericho, and toured the road in which Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan was set. This road is called the “Bloody Pass”.  It was here Dr. King remarks that the priest and the Levite might have come down that road and asked, “If I stop to help this man in need, what will happen to me?” I am writing you today to take this story one step backwards. Because before the priest or the Levite can even ask, “What will happen to me?” they must be able to hear the cry of the needy.

            In Luke, the scripture says that both the priest and the Levite “saw” the man on the side of the road, however did they hear this man’s cry? Many of us see people who are in need. We see them on television during charity drives. We see them at our places of worship receiving help. We see them in the news, being the topic of some punditry. But do we hear their cry? Do we stop and try to bandage their wounds? Do we give them shelter from the cold or a place of refuge from their fear?  Do we give them a shoulder to cry on and a voice to the voiceless? Do we hear their cry? 

            Or, are we so ingrained in today’s society that we cannot hear the cries of the oppressed? Because, in today’s society we have been desensitized to the plight of those among us who are in need. Due to the economic segregation of our cities, they are invisible to us. Due to the politics of our time, their voices are marginalized to us. And due to tenor of our discourse many are ashamed to even be public with their struggle least they be demonized for their need. 

            So who are the oppressed and what does it mean to hear their cry? The cry of 46.2 million Americans that live in poverty today. The cry of that one child out of five that is uncertain that they will eat today. The cry of the American family that is now the fastest growing demographic entering the plight of homelessness. The cry of your community, finding its poor growing at a faster rate than its urban neighbors.

            On this Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday, as you reflect on the life and legacy of one of the greatest Americans ever, remember his speech in Memphis where he challenged his audience to do as the Good Samaritan did. And when you are on your path, do not only see your fellow man in need, hear their cry, and then ask yourself the same question Dr. King posed to the audience that day in Memphis, “If I do not stop to help his man, what will happen to him?” God bless you.

Dedicated to Pastor Chris Bell of the Ridge Faith Community, the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and all of those Jesus spoke of in Matthew 25 when he spoke of “the least of these”. Especially the children. May God be with you every day. Amen

As seen on Black Politics on the Web: http://blackpoliticsontheweb.com/2013/01/24/dr-kings-last-speech/