Over the years, I have listened to my son often share in his presentations that if he must step on your toes to get to your heart, he is willing to do it if it will help you achieve your goals and help you get out of your own way. As we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I think of how often he must have stepped on the toes of men and women when sharing about the injustices many faced not only here in America but across the world. In 1963 Dr. King shared the importance of hearts being changed when he spoke at Western Michigan University if we are going to help solve the systemic problems we face.
Dr. King also believed that the law could not change a person’s heart, but it could help restrain the heartless from doing the things they desire. We must remember that the law is in place to help the helpless and to make sure things are done decent and in order. Dr. King felt that to help heal the ills of our country, both religion and education had to play major roles. Sometimes, we fail to value the people, places, and things that have been the cornerstone of our existence. Many do not value education, and they have walked away from the church. Dr. King went on to further say that the ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people. A question we must all ask ourselves is whether we are staying silent when we need to speak up and step on a few toes. We must not forget all the work our ancestors lived and died for so that we could enjoy the privileges we have today. But we cannot sit down and be still. We must do our part to keep the train running for justice.
If we flip a coin and look at our own lives, what are we doing to make a difference and to help make things better for our fellow brothers and sisters, even if it causes us to make personal sacrifices? When we step on someone’s toes, they may get offended or inconvenienced, and most of us are not willing to do that, fearing the consequences it may bring to our own station in life. When we want to make a difference, we must be willing to deal with discomfort if we are being honest. If we truly believe we are standing on the right side of justice, then we must do what it takes. I am only the third generation born free in America. My great-grandfather on my father’s mother’s side was born in 1861 in the South as a slave. He was freed as a little boy, but during my lifetime, I have touched the hem of the garment and lived with my grandmother, who was born around 1904, and I watched the sacrifices she made for her children and generations that would come after her.
Each generation must continue to pick up the baton and become a drum major for peace if we have any hope for future generations. We cannot give up and not sit on the sidelines. We have plenty of examples of what can be accomplished if we are willing to step up to the task. I am now a grandmother with grandchildren who will one day look to me for guidance and hope, just as I did with my grandmother. We must care about others and possibly things that we will never enjoy. We must have a servant’s heart and possibly even step on a few toes along the way. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Anyone can be great because they can serve, and all they need is a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love.” Happy Birthday, Dr. King. Thank you for the sacrifices you made to help us all live better lives. #MLK #Heart
Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on.
Visit www.WendyGladney.com and www.forgivingforliving.org to learn more. Wendy is a life strategist, coach, consultant, author, and speaker.
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