Distinguished visitors, honored guests and friends of liberty, it is an honor and a privilege for me to have this opportunity to play a small role in remembering and celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His commitment to seek equality and justice through non-violence and love not only changed America – but the entire world.
In Ashrams in India – they remember Dr. King. In slums in South Africa – they remember Dr. King – in Watts and Harlem – they remember Dr. King. And right here – in the hills of West Virginia – We remember… we celebrate… we revere the name and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
G. K. Chesterton once said – it’s not that Christianity has been tried and found wanting. Its that its been tried – found difficult – and seldom practiced. Dr. King understood the radical and transformative power that Jesus taught in the Gospel of Luke and committed himself to its practice in his life and in his movement.
Dr. King derived from the 6th chapter of Luke the basis for a social and spiritual movement that would – in less than a generation – radically change the fabric of our nation.
In that chapter Jesus says to us:
“But I tell you – Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless whose who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on the one cheek, turn to him the other as well … if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that… But I say to you… love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great and you will be sons and daughters of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father in heaven is merciful.”
Dr. King adopted and practiced the radical ethic to “Love your enemies” and with it he taught oppressed people how to achieve their freedom.
He adopted Jesus’ admonition to “turn the other cheek” - and with it he taught the oppressors that “might does not make right.”
And because he did - slowly but surely… bit by bit… and heart by heart… his example continues to teach each generation that all people are created equal and that all men and women are our brothers and sisters.
Here in West Virginia, our state's history of people courageously working for justice has many stars, who also shine brightly in the firmament beside Dr. King.
Today, therefore, it is appropriate that we honor not only Dr. King, but our early leaders and activists like Booker T. Washington and J.R. Clifford.
We honor the African American coal miners who stood up with their brothers and sisters of many ethnicities, fighting for their rights at Matewan and Blair Mountain. We honor educators like Carter G. Woodson and Memphis Garrison and Dr. Ancella Bickley, and hundreds of unsung heroes who toiled in classrooms, so our children could have a better future. Yes, we in West Virginia have a rich legacy of trailblazers and courageous citizens who have advanced the cause of justice. We honor the college students who – inspired by the message of Dr. King - integrated lunch counters and theaters in their communities throughout West Virginia.
We honor the legislators who formed our Human Rights Commission, and the dedicated public officials who carry out its work. We honor distinguished judges like Franklin Cleckley, Booker Stephens, and Irene Berger, who have advanced the cause of justice for all. They all are standing shoulder to shoulder with Dr. King; and they too shine in our firmament.
I could go on with many more names. But the more important truth is that it has been not just notable leaders -- but thousands of ordinary people standing up for their beliefs -- who have advanced the ideals that Dr. King stood for. The more important truth is that Dr. King would not want us to honor only him… he would want us to honor everyone who has worked for truth, justice, and mercy. And Dr. King would also insist that we never invoke his name, without rededicating ourselves to those goals and to the principals of love and non-violence.
46 years ago, in front of the monument of the Great Emancipator, Dr. King challenged us to “let freedom ring” so that America would finally make good on its promise. Though he was taken from us by an assassin’s bullet – his life and his legacy challenge us still. Let all of us, therefore, rededicate ourselves to “the better way” that Dr. King showed us so that America will be what it was always intended to be – a land of liberty and equal justice for all.
