Tags/Etiquetas:
Dr. King’s life and accomplishments are not difficult to comprehend. First, one must learn the context of the time in which he was born and lived. Secondly, one must study the science of interpreting history. It is important to learn how to “read” the economic and political interests of those who tell history; that is, learn to identify the interests of the writers of the books, the publishers, and the media producers who tell the story.
Most history tellers tell of a man who was inherently unique and different from the majority of Americans. This point-of-view has merit, but it can also be misleading. In most respects Dr. King was similar to the rest of us. He had doubts and bouts of depression. He smoked. He drank alcohol from time to time. He had four children. He was a husband. He kept a job as a pastor of a church throughout the thirteen years of his organizing civil rights and peace campaigns. He had a few good friends, and he had adversaries. He watched television and was a sports fan. The essence of what he did is within reach of all. Dr. King did the following:
• He was current. He kept up with the economic, political, and cultural developments around the world. He did this intensely. You can too.• He made himself relevant. As a student, he was relevant to his teachers, his peers, and his school. As a pastor he maintained his relevancy in his church and in his denomination. Everyone has the choice. Make yourself relevant or irrelevant.• Dr. King was content with having enemies. He was content with not being popular. A Harris Poll taken a week before his death in 1968 reported that 55% of African Americans had a negative view of him, and 72% of white Americans held a negative view. After thirteen years of what we now accept as work that changed America forever, Dr. King was supported by a minority of Americans. He did not fear being unpopular.• Dr. King was controversial. Not because of a self-centric obsession with being seen, heard, or applauded; he was controversial because he spoke up on behalf of the common good.
We each have the capacity to be current. To know what is happening not only in the community, but in the nation and around the world.
Each of us has the capacity to make ourselves relevant to a cause larger than our self. Each of us can accept that we can’t please everyone, and we can be content that we have adversaries and enemies.
Being controversial is a matter of being relevant to some and being opposed by others. When one is current, relevant, and content with opposition, s/he is controversial. In a sense, all of these traits noted in Dr. King are fueled by courage. Courage, the ability to go forward in spite of obstacles and frightening situations, is readily available to each of us.
Dr. King offers educators important suggestions for ethical teaching that stems from universal values.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Comment *
Name *
Email *
Website
Post Comment