The other day, President Donald Trump was quoted as referring to Haiti and African nations as "sh!th@l@s." Some witnesses objected that he referred to these countries as obscene "sh!thouses" rather than obscene "sh!tholes," and therefore defend him. What difference could that make?
We cannot have racial justice if so many leaders are content to oppose racial justice by name-calling.
Indeed, an appalling column on Fox News by Jeremy Hunt protested that we should not politicize Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Well, to a limited extent, no, this is not a day for partisan politics. But King's work was entirely political in a larger sense, and as long as people feel free to express, defend, and act upon racist ideals, the day should be political.
It was a big mistake if anyone thought that the civil rights movement could take a rest. Today, too many people think that civil rights and equal opportunity are just "political correctness."
So, let us return to something that King said during his "Mountaintop" speech. He said this:
"Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation. And I want to thank God, once more, for allowing me to be here with you."
We cannot be a better nation as long as division marks our national dialogue. The division is not the fault of those who purse justice and the American way; it is the fault of those who oppose justice and the American way.
Here's Part 2.
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