"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial "outside agitator" idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States [and world] can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.
And now this approach is being termed extremist. But though I was initially disappointed at being categorized as an extremist, as I continue to think about the matter I gradually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label. Was not Jesus an extremist for love: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Was not Amos an extremist of justice: "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream." Was not Paul an extremist for the Christian gospel: "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." And Abraham Lincoln: "This nation cannot survive half slave and half free." And Thomas Jefferson: "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all [people] are created equal." So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremist we will be. Will we be extremists for hate or for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice? In that dramatic scene on Calvary's hill three men were crucified. We must never forget that all three were crucified for the same crime - the crime of extremism. Two were extremists for immorality, and thus fell below their environment. The other, Jesus Christ, was an extremist for love, truth and goodness, and thereby rose above his environment. Perhaps the South, the nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists."
And now this approach is being termed extremist. But though I was initially disappointed at being categorized as an extremist, as I continue to think about the matter I gradually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label. Was not Jesus an extremist for love: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Was not Amos an extremist of justice: "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream." Was not Paul an extremist for the Christian gospel: "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." And Abraham Lincoln: "This nation cannot survive half slave and half free." And Thomas Jefferson: "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all [people] are created equal." So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremist we will be. Will we be extremists for hate or for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice? In that dramatic scene on Calvary's hill three men were crucified. We must never forget that all three were crucified for the same crime - the crime of extremism. Two were extremists for immorality, and thus fell below their environment. The other, Jesus Christ, was an extremist for love, truth and goodness, and thereby rose above his environment. Perhaps the South, the nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists."
The more I reflect on this message, the more I am convinced of the radical life Christ is calling me to live, and the "extreme" action which that calls forth from me in my communities, near and far. I can only hope that at some point in my lifetime I will be worthy of even a fraction of the honor we give to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. But I sure as heck plan to try!!
Will you be a creative extremist? Of what?!
Today is also my big sister's birthday. Marakah is a role model of a creative extremist - fighting for justice and dignity of some of the most marginalized in our society. Just one of the many people in my family I have to look up to. Thank you and HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARI!!
Did I mention she's a goof-ball too? :)
Today is also my big sister's birthday. Marakah is a role model of a creative extremist - fighting for justice and dignity of some of the most marginalized in our society. Just one of the many people in my family I have to look up to. Thank you and HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARI!!
Did I mention she's a goof-ball too? :)
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