Our American culture is marked by its share of super heroes—men and women who choose to challenge the status quo. To the extent that heroes inspire us, they are beneficial. To the extent that they allow us to abdicate our responsibilities, they are immobilizing.
What are we, as a community, to do as we dedicate a memorial to one such hero tomorrow while we simultaneously work to forgive ourselves for his death day? The problems often seem massive or worse disconnected from our lives. If Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were alive today, he would most likely be discouraged by the progress that our community has made on issues of social and economic justice.
At the same time, he would be encouraged by our victories. Initiatives like Common Ground and Racism to Reconciliation are helping our community to heal from the racial wounds that continue to afflict us. Organizations like the Church Health Center are addressing the disparities in access to healthcare. Workers Interfaith Network is empowering workers to overcome economic injustices like wage theft. Project Hope is striving to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. CHOICES educates our community’s members on sexual health to prevent the spread of STDs, unplanned pregnancies, etc. LaunchMemphis is promoting the entrepreneurial spirit that lives in Memphis in hopes of generating large-scale economic benefits. The Tennessee Equality Project is advancing and protecting the civil rights of our LGBT community members and their families. The Door of Hope Writing Project delivers the message of so many men and women who are overlooked because of their experiences with homelessness. MPACT Memphis is drawing attention to the voices of young professionals like us who must be heard and kept in this community. We will dialogue with some of the people who are championing these causes this semester, but the list of good people working for the good of Memphis is even more extensive. We should consider ourselves among them.
Let us consider how we can use our words and actions to demonstrate a more powerful respect for individuals whose lives are different from own privileged existences. We can also use our words to question and critique an acceptance of a status quo when it is damaging. What are our responsibilities as individuals who have access to the freedoms of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Individuals who have heroes like Dr. King to inspire us to do our part as educated and engaged citizens of our local and global communities?
We are all heroes in the moments that we choose to speak up and argue against the injustices that most deeply affect us—to argue for our passions. I have been so impressed by your willingness to share your experiences of raising your voices. We will celebrate the victories, and continue working for our truths and our passions.
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” ~Dr. King
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