Hatred and bitterness can never cure the disease of fear, only love can do that. Hatred paralyzes life, love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life, love illumines it. ~Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
While things have positively changed in our country, still, the spirit of fear and hatred continues to challenge our efforts to advance and, most importantly, to hold onto the American dream. Though Dr. King spoke great words of faith in his visionary “I Have a Dream” speech some fifty years ago, for me the above haunting words concerning the “disease of fear” in his sermon titled, Antidotes for Fear, remain very instructive.
Seems as long as we are on the planet, fear is ever near, often challenging us all. Yet, with faith and self-discipline we can overcome the disease of fear and continue to progress.
Though, at times, we may seem to be going backwards, we are actually moving forward as long as we don’t give up on our faith or give in to the bitter voices of fear and confusion bombarding our airwaves daily. Modern day propaganda? You betcha! As some fear-mongers like to say.
As a defense against the fear mongers back then, perhaps this is why Dr. King and his fellow Civil Rights marchers held so dearly these inspiring Negro spirituals that most of them grew up on: We Shall Overcome and I Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around.
Today, as I sing those poignant songs during moments of tribute, in particular, I can’t help but weep with pride and joy as visions of Dr. King, Coretta Scott-King and many other great Americans of the 60s march across my mind in strict resolve, which ultimately caused many Americans to give up their fears and change.
Giving up Fear is Key to Progress
Since, as Dr. King aptly states that hatred, a congealed form of fear, paralyzes life then it only stands to reason that the giving up of fear is the key to progressing in life for our self and our country as well. Of course, this not only takes much effort initially, but a made-up mind and heart as well.
Yet, when we start living without fear we find how much easier it is to love others, even if we don’t always accept or understand their ways. Ultimately, we find this positive state of being much happier than living in a state of lack paralyzed by fear and hatred.
It is then that we start making better life choices and truly begin to progress. As we see evidence of more progress in our lives, we also begin to value others in the process and seek ways of keeping positive relations with them.
Eventually, we learn the value of forgiveness and to let go of negative thoughts and feelings. Finally, sustainable love is released in our life, which is a sure sign of progress, and we move forward with a better life purpose.
Confusion quickly transforms to mirth or inner peace and dark despair to renewed hope. And the beat (life) goes on; yet, either we go with life or go against it. The choice, as always, is ours.
Why All Americans Must March
Unlike the 60s Civil Rights era where the focus was clear about defeating the fear driven Jim Crow laws that had paralyzed the upward mobility of African Americans and all women in particular since slavery, the focus is more nuanced now or, in most cases, simply in denial.
Though the need for the health, education and upward mobility is just as intense now as it was for most minorities in the 60s, the focus and the demographics have changed considerably.
Sadly today, now all Americans, but for the super wealthy, are in grave danger of losing access to the American Dream whether we care to admit it or not!
And the signs are chilling: The unrestrained love of guns and violence and the laws (or the lack thereof) that support such is outrageous and way out of control. Most of our important jobs have been outsourced while our food, clothing and other life essentials are virtually imported. Our school system is an international joke compared to other developed countries, while higher education is fast becoming out of reach for most.
Many of our divisive lawmakers have seemingly fallen prey to egocentric lunacy while still trying to run our government, and it just ain’t working!
Yet, we the people are not without hope.
Together we must march, plain and simple! To march on Washington is to make our presence known, that is if we truly want to save our democracy.
Saving Our Democracy Takes all Americans
In the 50s, after growing tired of centuries of suppression in their own country, African Americans came together, along with other reasonable Americans and world citizens, and ultimately formed what would become the Modern Civil Rights Movement, which changed history and our country for the better.
Today, all Americans are now being called upon to step up and save our democracy.
Too long have too many good Americans hid behind the wall of delusional racism, sexism, and, yes, even success-ism while virtually pursuing their own American dream and leaving the success of their government up to others.
Well, this “me” attitude has gone just about as far as it can go in a functional democracy. So “we the people” must change our focus now.
The New Civil Rights Movement
A new civil rights movement is sure if ‘we the people’ are to rid our government of systemic corruption and restore a fully functioning democracy.
As JFK (Pres. John Fitzgerald Kennedy) would say, the cause is just and the need is profound.
As LBJ (Pres. Lyndon Baines Johnson) would say: My fellow Americans, what the hell is wrong with you? Move your ass now! Vote the lying, greedy bastards out of your government and demand the democracy you deserve. You know who they are!
As Jimmy Carter (Pres. James Earl Carter) would reverently remind us, I still know how to run a clean election.
Let the New Civil Rights Movement comprised of all Americans begin now!
It’s time to march now, both in Spirit and at the ballot box, and so we must.
Do keep the faith! And may God bless our democracy.
© 2012-2013 by Delores L Adams and The Aunt Jemimah Post. All rights reserved.
Updated January 13, 2016
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