In the Sunday Services on January 16, 2000, Paint Branch UUs had a chance to offer brief, anonymous statements on the theme of how the work of Martin Luther Ling, JR., will impact their lives in the future. The responses are presented below, in no particular order, with fond gratitude to Ted Porter and Phyllis Jones for entering all the words!
In my life, I will try to live Martin Luther King, JR’s legacy into the 21st century by….
- …judging an individual based on his or her personality rather than his/her origins.
- …working for a non-violent world, especially for our children.
- -Respect other people, people with different race, religious background, etc.
-Find out more from people who are different than I am.
-‘Do not judge others!! Let God be the judge.’ - …choosing purposely to speak to people I don’t know… to allow them into my relationship with my friends, this church, the world…
- …learning to give unselfishly to those in need regardless of creed or color, to extend myself to all. …continuing to search for truth in myself and others & steadfastly stand up for my finding even when it is not popular or comfortable.
- -Treat each person as a unique and precious individual worth of respect and dignity.
-Treat each person as I would want to be treated.
-Look for good in each person and affirm these strengths.
-Work for better transportation, opportunity * choice for everyone – rich & poor.
-Listen & encourage people’s hopes & dreams.
-Take time to care – hear people’s concerns and frustrations – and try to show them they are not alone. Help them find hope and answers to their problems. - …loving my fellows because of the worth of their individual selves and not be influenced by the color of skins but by their souls. To work toward non-violence and connection with all people.
- …challenging subtle and overt institutional racism that permeates our society – in government, the criminal justice system, our workplace, communities, home and most importantly in my heart –and to strive to truly and sincerely know the unconditional love, that exists deep inside, towards all peoples with whom I share this planet.
- …acknowledging the dignity of every person.
- …meeting new people & new situations with an open mind.
In my life, I will try to live Martin Luther King, JR’s legacy into the 21st century by….
- …establishing my relationships with other people based on what we have in common – experiences, interests, concerns; not on the ways in which we are different.
- …speaking out, peacefully, against prejudice wherever I encounter it. And, being a role model of living my life by the first principal.
- …(1) remembering that if we do not remember our history we are doomed to repeat it
…(2) remembering that diversity is much harder in theory than practice by it is the only salvation. - …raising our young child in an open environment that will enable him to love and value all people.
- I want to share the idea that unfettered economic freedom makes the rich richer and the poor poorer. I hope we can make our economic practices fairer to those at the losing end. That will take care of the racist differences.
- …(1) making friends with more of my non-white neighbors and co-workers.
…(2) spreading the word about David Hatherstan’s book “The Children” – it’s a wonderful reprise of the sit-in kids and their mentors.
…(3) learning more about Ghandi and his spiritual teachings. - …being open to hearing people’s feelings and need.
…valuing each person for the content of their character, rather than the characteristics of their person. - I commit myself to continue the fight for equality for All people and to respond to any bigotry in works or deeds (or thoughts by making others aware) and to try to become more aware myself.
- …looking at justice issues for single mothers.
- …continuing where he left off.
- …not only caring but doing to create justice and peace not only in the world but for each human being.
- …speaking out when I perceive a hate message is being presented—clarification of the speaker’s motives first, then presenting a loving message accordingly.
- …going out of my way to build bonds of trust and understanding and mutual concern with neighbors and associates who are of different cultural origins and racial backgrounds.
- …committing to equal opportunity of all peoples.
- …constantly reminding myself and others that “freedom is not FREE.”
- …respecting everyone and loving everyone as myself.
In my life, I will try to live Martin Luther King, JR’s legacy into the 21st century by…
- …(1) teaching the dream
…(2) never giving up - …working for equality for all groups, the goal of eliminating poverty in a non-violent society.
- …working for the welfare and access to opportunities for poor children in this area. I plan to try to commit time and money to this cause.
- …conducting myself today in the spirit of equality & tolerance toward all people I encounter. …by imparting these values on my children & acquaintances to build the strength of their character to ensure the justice of the future.
- …working on my own personal racism, which I know hides inside me even as I do my best to stomp it out, and confronting others who share their hatred with me & my family.
- I believe what the life of Dr. King should show to everyone, is that people should act on what is right no matter the cost. I will try to live Dr. King’s legacy by always attempting to do what is right and not simply easy.
- Provide moral guidance to young children by vocally and actively supporting and actively supporting civil rights – not by “assuming” everyone knows I support it.
- I need to start speaking out more in instances of bigotry, of violence to another person.
- …hope & optimism. These are what I’ll be inspired by – and faith in ultimate goodness.
- …remembering – and acting on – this thought (which I first heard from Rod Thompson:) I can’t do everything but I can do something.
- …living a life that is free from any type of prejudice. …learning from people who are different from me.
- Take a more active part in the alumni activities of Howard Univ., where I earned an MSW in 1970. Push the Prince Geo. Chapter of the Alliance for the Mentally Ill to become even more involved in the County Executive’s and County Council’s issues related to mental health, on the theory that all politics is local, and in this county politics needs everybody.
- …making both my work and leisure activities aware of being inclusive. And of working to not use race as a source of power.
- …interacting & sharing my life with children of all ages, sizes, shapes & colors in hopes of continuing the dream that people of all cultures / social-economic class can play & enjoy, accept & live with each other.
- In my life, I will try to live Martin Luther King, JR’s legacy into the 21st century by….
- To ignore the color & continue to treat each person the same. No better or worse. To see a person, who I can help, befriend, or welcome
- …challenging racist remarks made by others in my presence.
- …knowing and understanding all people, cherishing our differences and teaching my children to do the same.
- …doing what I can to help the children – all children – know love & acceptance & hope for a better future,
- …working to eliminate poverty & raise living standards for all working people, so as to reduce the legacy of discrimination born by people of color.
- …showing respect and generosity toward all persons, whatever their opinions and whatever the circumstances.
- …being an activist.
- …teaching my daughter that a person should be judged not by the colour of his or her skin, but by their actions and words. By nothing but their actions and words.
- …offering hope and opportunity to everyone to achieve their dreams and goals. Help them to take control of financial and their life.
- We must be ever vigilant and adaptable. I note how those who formerly clung to “segregation forever” now call for equality of opportunity, being careful to note that the playing field is tilted in their favor. Dr. King was a saint – is! A saint is not someone who is without sin – some saints were great sinners. A saint is someone who loves much.
- …working more actively toward justice for all.
- …continuing to reach out in friendship to those of other races by opening my heart & my home to them. I hope my children will also continue to live this way when I am gone.
- …continuing in my work at the University of Maryland to maximize opportunities for African American students (and other students of color) through academic and financial support. Education is the future.
- My wife and I our teaching our children to love & respect all people.
- …trusting all people the same regardless of their culture and backgrounds.
- …challenging bigotry in the conversations around me.
- …being more conscious of these issues in everyday life.; by working with underprivileged kids in the schools; by figuring out other ways…
In my life, I will try to live Martin Luther King, JR’s legacy into the 21st century by….
- …recognizing and supporting the invisible lives of young African Americans who are not choosing paths of destruction, but who are struggling to build productive lives and families. (Often in communities which have few resources to help them.) I will help open doors of opportunity and compassion to young men who are often assumed to be morally bereft and dangerous simply because of how they look or the reputations of the communities they come from.
- …resisting the urge to hate those who are far more interested in what I am than who I am.
- …continuing to talk and listen-Really talk and really listen-to people whose race, country of origin, and ideas are very different from mine. And to share who I am with them so we can all learn from each other.
- The work is much harder than most of us imagine. To achieve a life based on worth & dignity of all, a change of life, lifestyle, priorities & commitments will occur. If I fully live this change, I have to surrender a certain part of my existing self and give it over to/with other cultures. For now – I contemplate and work with others to understand what this means, to share what I learn, and proceed on my path with baby steps-forward I hope.
- …striving to shop respect, compassion & patience for the many broken, unenlightened, deprived high school students I must try to reach and teach every day. I’ll strive to be more empathetic to their plight & not give up, over-generalize or otherwise become jaded & bitter about the massiveness of the problems to be solved.
- …confronting the next person who says something racist to me. …teaching my son to abhor violence.
- …teaching my son not to hate.
- …accepting everyone I meet in an open, caring way, to the best of my abilities, gently push them on to be more than they think they can be, and to accept their limitations-as I must accept mine-and spread the spirit of love to all.
- …working to eliminate child poverty and the miseducation of poor children of color.
- …examining my own prejudices of others and to open the possibility of understanding in day to day relationships with others.
- …promoting and honoring diversity in my personal relationships.
- …reaching out to more people to try and touch at least one person through my teaching or the love I try to share with others.