|
 |
January 18, 2005
Legend's View:
Appalling silence of good
The ideal that our founding fathers espoused, the belief that “all
men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit
of Happiness” is what has made our country one of the greatest,
most prosperous, most egalitarian nations, not only in the world, but
in history.
Despite the fact that there have been discrepancies between this country’s
stated beliefs and actual practice, through the past 200-plus years, the
right thing has been done, eventually.
In the ’60s, one man brought to national attention the mistreatment
of an entire race. Without screaming or violence, he showed us how wrong
it is to judge another as unworthy of basic rights because of the color
of their skin.
He gave a speech about his dream: a world “where the sons of both
the slaves and the slave-owners would sit at the table of brotherhood”
and “children will not be judged by the color of their skin, but
the content of their character.”
When arrested for peaceful demonstration, he wrote that ultimately there
would have to be repentance for the hateful words and actions of some,
as well as “for the appalling silence of good people.”
And so it has been. As the years have passed, the majority of this nation’s
people have recognized that even though the skin may be a different color,
a person is still deserving of civil rights.
Since 1993, Arizonans have honored that by celebrating the Martin Luther
King, Jr./Civil Rights holiday on the third Monday of each January.
It is sad that it was accomplished after 20 years of attempted legislation,
and that it took the threat of a tourist boycott to encourage the establishment
of a day to honor civil rights, but now it is done.
How much more appropriate are Dr. King’s words today, though?
With a recent election that has shown how unequal it is to be a lesbian
or homosexual, and with an atmosphere that is willing to believe that
anyone of Middle-Eastern descent is a covert terrorist, there is another
long fight ahead for those who still believe in the right of everyone
to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
Maybe this time, there will be even less violence, and that more of the
“good” people will speak up, and not be silent.
Back to Top
| Previous Page | Home
|
|
|
