Carl Wendel Hines penned a devastating poem in 1965 on the occasion of the assassination of Malcolm X. Still, it is often, and perhaps more appropriately, associated with the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. It is called “A Dead Man’s Dream.”
Now that he is safely dead let us praise him, build monuments to his glory, sing
hosannas to his name.
Dead men make such convenient heroes.
They cannot rise to challenge the images we would fashion from their lives.
And besides,
it is easier to build monuments
than to make a better world.
It has been 40 years since federal legislation was passed to make the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday a federal holiday. Collegeville’s mayor, the Rev. Dr. Aidsand Wright-Riggins, reflects on how we have been “Quietly Quitting” on King’s vision politically, economically, and spiritually since at least 1966 and suggests ways we might begin walking King’s talk again. Perhaps UUs can play a vital role in this process as they review and affirm essential values and sources for the days ahead.
Topics: Equality, Justice, Soul Matters Themes, UU Principles