That evening a group of young adults (20's) in our church pulled
together a memorial service for Dr. King. Afterward, we went into the nearby
neighborhoods of west side Chicago. They were on fire. Looting was raging through
commercial districts. The smell of smoke and sound of sirens were constant at
my apartment in Oak Park. We visited churches where emergency kitchens were
feeding the families burned out of their homes. Those families were housed at
the church and at the homes of parishioners. Clothing was located and
distributed, too. The communities were coming alive with help and hope.
Back home I wrestled with decisions. My nation had made
progress on racism but was still very sick. The death of Dr. King was proof of
that for me. I knew I had to do something but at the moment, I did not have any
answers.
By morning I had formed a partial decision. I went to work
and asked for the day off. I visited my pastor, then found my way via public
transportation to Hyde Park and the campus of the University of Chicago. There,
Chicago Theological Seminary is located. I entered and applied for admission
that fall.
Shortly thereafter I was accepted. I wanted to invent a new
ministry, not one rooted in a local parish, but one situated in commerce and
industry where cultural challenges could be addressed directly to heal the
stress and social illnesses of that age. Racism was first and foremost in my
mind. The seminary was very interested in partnering with me on my journey to
this new destination. The future held promise.
Thus, I started my adult faith journey. It started 50 years
ago today. 50 years! Hard to get my head around a number like that when it is
attached to the passage of time.
Recall that Dr. King’s death occurred at a time our nation
was in an uproar over the Viet Nam War. Also, the Flower Power Age was rapidly
changing youth culture into activism and social change. Much was happening. At
its core, however, racism was the horrid beast that wrenched good souls to
evil. I had my challenge. I accepted it. And my world changed at that moment.
Today, 50 years later, we are not much moved beyond the
markers of 1968. How could that be? We are more educated, better housed, better
employed and much more advanced as a society and culture. But are we really?
No. It is as simple as that. We are not better off
culturally. We are still a sick nation and racist. The land of the free and
brave still does not treat everyone as equal, or love them, or heal them. Our
teachings are like blank words on blank minds. And our government
representatives are a mirror of this. How very, very sad.
We are a nation of immigrants who politically and by policy
do not welcome immigrants. Yet they are us. This is our identity. The difference
between racism and anti-immigration is not much. The primary threads are the
same. Dr. King would agree.
Our shame is just as great.
We have much to do to correct this situation. It will take
big minds and larger hearts to accomplish. Together we can do this. And we
must!
April 5, 2018
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