America Celebrates Martin Luther King Day

Christians and non-Christians alike, millions of Americans are pausing to remember the life and legacy of late Rev. Dr Martin Luther King Jr. through worship and commemorative services, rallies and marches.

By Pauline J. Chang, Christian Post Reporter Monday, January 17, 2005

Christians and non-Christians alike, millions of Americans are pausing to remember the life and legacy of late Rev. Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Thousands of churches across the nation held special services on Sunday, with many more planning similar memorial services on Monday.

"Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was a visionary American and a dedicated leader who believed deeply in liberty and dignity for every person," Bush said in his holiday proclamation. "His faith and courage continue to inspire America and the world."

"Dr. King gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, and that was his life." said Rev. Charlotte Petty, head of the Risen Faith Fellowship in Lacey, Washington.

The nephew of late Rev King, the Rev. Vernon King, took note that many people continue to have an incomplete understanding of the legacy and work of his uncle.

Saying the popular perception of his uncle is one of “softness,” Rev. Vernon King emphasized that commitment to nonviolence is “not weakness.”

"It's a different kind of strength. Our society is violent by nature. Nonviolence is against the grain. We have to teach people to be nonviolent,” said Rev. Vernon King, as he spoke at the Tabernacle Baptist Church, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2005.

Vernon King explained that the real challenge was for “leaders, members of the community” to “come together to fulfill the dream: unity.”

"I'm going to challenge the people today to pick up the torch," he said. "It's up to us to fulfill the dream."

Meanwhile Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, president of Brotherhood Organization of A New Destiny (BOND), explained that in many ways, America has lost sight of Rev. King’s message.

"The nation has lived up to Dr. King's dream by making monumental strides to correct past wrongs against black Americans. Legal barriers have been torn down, and there remains relatively little discrimination against blacks,” said Peterson on January 17. "Blacks have made great economic progress, but along the way, most have become morally bankrupt. Seventy-percent of black children born out of wedlock is unacceptable. And the celebration of drugs and perverse sex in rap music must be rejected."

Rev. Peterson said: “Blacks today are not suffering due to racism or the lack of economic opportunity; they’re suffering because of their lack of moral character. Dr. King told us not to fight injustice with bitterness and hatred. He was basically saying forgive and overcome evil with good. Blacks today have lost sight of his message; and most have abandoned character in search of material riches.”

Dr. King would have celebrated his 76th birthday today, and his words still endure. In his “I Have a Dream Speech” he warned:

Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. . . .We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.

Rev. Peterson added: "Our biggest barrier is no longer the law, white Americans, or black leaders. It is ourselves. Responsibility, not excuses. Character, not hatred. That is the dream."

A commemorative service has been planned at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King was preacher from 1960 until his assassination in 1968. Thousands are expected to join the service and afternoon rally through downtown Atlanta.