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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 19, 1989)
•X January 19, 1989 • Portland Observer • Page 9 X I The Courage Of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Beniamin F, Chavis. Jr. “ But I want you to know tonight, that, as a people we will get to the Prom ise Land. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the com ing of the Lord.” These were som e of the last public statements m ade by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was on April 3, 1968 at the Masonic Tem ple in Memphis, Ten nessee, that Dr. King gave this fa mous and last speech. Dr. King af firmed that he had been to “the m ountaintop” and he encouraged the huge crowd present to continue to make a stand for justice. On April 4, 1968, an assassin’s bullet attempted to silence the dream and the dreamer. Dr. King’s tragic m urder has had a continuous impact on the civil rights movement during the last twenty years. W e are still in need of the kind of leadership that Dr. King exemplified with his ministry and life. As 1989 begins and as the nation focuses on the birthday celebrations of Dr. King, we believe that it is im por tant to re-em phasize what we believe to be one of the essential qualities of Dr. King's leadership the courage to struggle. Dr. King’s courage to wage struggle on behalf of the downtrod den was based on his faith and the God of liberation. Dr. King’s religion did not prevent him from being an activist and an outspoken articulator of the interest of the oppressed. In fact, it was Dr. King's religious beliefs and faith that enabled him to take unprecedented risks in behalf of the cause of justice, freedom and peace. W ithin the African American com m unity across the nation, as well as in other racial and ethnic communities, there is a deep void in the kind of leadership that is present. At a tim e w hen our com m unities are facing a m ultifaceted resurgence in racism, we are in need of bold and coura geous leadership in the tradition of Martin Luther King, Jr. How will a new generation of lead ers em erge to take up the torch of Dr. King? This will only be possible if a serious effort is organized by the major civil rights organizations to recruit, train, network and nurture thousands of youth who are out there searching for a meaningful future. If the freedom Birthday presence. What would you give Martinon his birthday’ Can you separate the man from his ideas’ m ovement remains reluctant to put a priority on youth leadership develop ment, then the possibilities of future victories for racial justice will be se verely limited. The courage of Dr. King to m obi lize the powerless in order to effec tively challenge the powerful was one of Dr. King’s remarkable characteris tics. Dr. King was not interested in just getting his name in the newspa per or his face on television. Dr. King used the media strategically to heighten the national consciousness not only about the extent of racial discrim ina tion, but also about the determ ination of African-Am ericans and others to fight against racial injustice. Unfortunately, today there are too many leaders who allow the media and the system s of oppression to use them against the interest of the poor and the downtrodden. We will not engage in name calling but suffice it to say if Dr. King were alive, he would denounce some of the cowardly, bumbling baffoons who are just pre tending to be civil rights leaders loyal to Dr. King’s dream. W e believe if Dr. King were a'ive, he would be courageously struggling to lead a national movement against the racial bigotry that has been en hanced as a result of the Reagan- Bush years. Dr. King would simply not com prom ise the truth,about the injustice of current domestic and for eign policies. It is our prayer, in the advent and wake of the national cele brations in tribute to Dr. King’s leg acy, that more of us will be inspired to shoulder more of the leadership re sponsibilities toward an effective socio econom ic transform ation of this soci ety. W e all should contem plate and take up the courage of Dr. King’s leadership. How do you gift wrap a dream’ Can you put Peace in a box’ Maybe you could send him a world of people who are glad that he lived, who are trying to live the lessons of compassion of courage of a right and wrong where truth does not discriminate, but can be found in the soul; A world of people trying simply to do what is right. -Those lessons that he left us Happy Birthday, Dr King ad ,-Loio ¿.--¿8 Postal Issues Honoring Martin Luther King Now Available A special memorial collection of postage stamps is being offered by the International Stamp Collectors Society to mark the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King. The collection includes two com plete uncancelled large com m em o rative stamps called Souvenir Sheets issued by the United Arab Emirates, plus the 15-cent Unitdd States stamp commemorating the fallen civil rights leader. Those ordering these items will also receive at no extra charge, the U S. stam ps which pay tribute to president John ft. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy. '* X Checks or money orders for $14.95 should be sent to the International Stam p Collectors Society: P.O. Box 854, Van Nuys, California 91408. Telephone: (818) 997-6496 (24 hours). Dr. M a rtin L . K ing, Jr.. A finely-detailed porcelain portrait bust, by Olvero L Height: 10 Inches Width: 8 Inches Ebony Color Weight: Including Solid Walnut base is 2 Lbs., 8 Ounces Please Allow 5 Weeks For Delivery This attractive porcelain is yours for only $7 15. Oliver Tracy, Box 14265, Portland, Oregon 97214 For more information please call (503) 235-0481 Martin Luther King 1929-1968 u We have a responsibility to help our children understand and appreciate not only the charisma, commitment and courage o f Martin Luther King, Jr., but his dream as well. ” muLTnomRH co u rrrv ( ( I I His Dream to Live on ‘ • * *1 • What begins with a great idea sometimes takes a dream to see it through. We're proud to honor the man who gave Americans, both black and white, a share of his dream. II * * * * • » - • " Î ’ j, „» A.iVi W 'l' à ***>’ ’ T • *' A. . I, .have a dream that one day the nation will rise up and live out the true mean ing of its creed...all men are created equal. 11