MLK, Jr. Day Means Much More in Atlanta

 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a meaningful occasion in America. Yet there are some parts of the country where it is more meaningful than others. It has greater meaning in Washington, D.C. where he gave the "I Have a Dream" speech. It has greater meaning in Birmingham, Alabama where he wrote the letter making the case for civil disobedience. It has greater meaning in Memphis, Tennessee where his life was cut short. 

It might have the greatest meaning of all here in Atlanta where he was born, raised and spread the Gospel. Now that I reside in Atlanta the least I could do was to walk a couple of miles to Auburn Street NE to get a small sense of the world from which he came.

I had the chance to gaze upon the house in which he was born and lived, the original Ebenezer Baptist Church just down the street where both he and his father preached. It has recently been restored to its former glory while the present Ebenezer Baptist Church where Senator-elect Raphael Warnock preaches is just across the street. 

In between Dr. King's birth home and the original Ebenezer Baptist Church is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center. While its presently closed due to COVID-19, the public can still view his crypt and that of his wife Coretta Scott King in a wading pool, an eternal flame and wall highlighting the Six Principles of Non-Violence. Across the street is a Civil Rights Walk of Fame which features a statue of Gandhi. It is astonishing to consider how a couple of short blocks just a couple of miles from where I now live changed the course of American history. 

Naturally this course still has to change. Inequality still persists and nowhere more acutely where it concerns the administration of justice by law enforcement. It has been said that if a predominantly African-American crowd had seen fit to storm the U.S. Capitol then there would have far more bloodshed and far less hesitation to engage in violence. 

Nevertheless change for the better is possible. It takes work, overcoming resistance, sacrifice and, in certain circumstances, risk to one's own life. Some like Dr. King paid with their lives. Yet change is possible on any street in America.

One can only begin to imagine what life in America might be like had he lived and were still here to among us on Auburn Street NE at the age of 92. We could use his words today in the here and now. The best we can do is to heed his words, put his deeds into practice when necessary.

In light of recent events at the U.S. Capitol we would be wise to remember, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

Light and love might not be in abundance, but it is around us and within us. We will never every bit of light and love in the next 48 hours.