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by Tess Forsythe
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A Dead King Still Teaches
"Ah, man, the Reading Rainbow guy?" I whined. "I don't think I can take this." About an hour into the trip, I no longer noticed LaVar Burton's irritating voice as I soaked in the life of a remarkable man.
Dr. King refused to conform to a society he knew was morally wrong despite social stigma, prison and death. He did what every Christian should do: He suffered for Christ. Christians are called to suffer. But many choose not to suffer for Christ.
Christ bore our shame, and yet many Christians forget that we are called to bear His.
Four hours into the trip, I was so engrossed in Dr. King's words that my eyes fixated on the glowing play button on my tape deck. I felt pride and admiration for Dr. King's courage and passion for justice.
Dr. King expressed his deep disappointment with his brothers who did not stand with him against inequality. Christian leaders told him he was too radical. They were too afraid of social stigma to help stop injustice.
At first, I was angry with those cowardly Christians concerned about man's approval. But as soon as my finger was pointed at them, it turned back to me. I'm white. I've never personally experienced the degrading abuse of social inequality.
I have never personally felt a need for that abuse to stop. In fact, I would suffer more if I spoke out than if I just kept quiet--maybe that's the whole point. Would I have walked with Dr. King? As I realized the answer to that question, I started sobbing into my pillow, right there on I-84.
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