Last week, the country swore in a man who has represented hate, racism and sexism as President of the United States, and also commemorated a man who stood for love, peace and equality — all within one week.
That’s America for you.
People of all races and ideological backgrounds celebrate the late Dr. Martin Luther King every third Monday of January. He was the face of the Civil Rights Movement and empowered people nationwide with hope and courage. In honor of King, communities come together across the nation on his holiday to celebrate his vision. Together, many people serve their communities in his name.
One of my major pet peeves is when I’m having a typical race debate on either Facebook or Twitter and the opposing party replies with an MLK quote. I argue with people over their apparent beliefs that if Americans want something, they merely have to work for it — whether that be basic healthcare, equal pay or equal education. This is a repetitive argument despite the fact the racial inequality gap in this country is massive. I’m literally arguing with people over equality who are bred on the side of privilege.
Clearly disregarding the meaning of the argument and stubbornly standing true to their beliefs, one of the last responses I usually get from the person I’m arguing with is something like, “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant. – Dr. Martin Luther King.”
Seriously? You’re going to defend your ignorance with a quote from a man who spent his lifetime fighting against that same ignorance?
Although doing so is extremely annoying, it’s much easier to brush off — it’s just words. However, Friday’s inaguration was action. This is no longer just a Facebook debate.
We are marking the beginning of a presidency that stands on values that totally oppose those of which King advocated for.
This is what makes me think that maybe there are people who don’t understand the purpose of King’s lifelong fight. Maybe they think his vision of peace means to sit back and let the chips fall where they may. But then again, maybe they do know, and just don’t care — which is honestly worse. Maybe it’s just easier for a white person to quote an iconic black man of justice when arguing with a black person?
In a letter, Coretta Scott King says, “The King Holiday celebrates Dr. King’s global vision of the world house, a world whose people and nations had triumphed over poverty, racism, war and violence.”
Through Trump’s views on immigrants, women, the disabled and ethnic minorities, he clearly does not support the vision of King. Nor does he display any shared values with King through his nominations of cabinet members. Jeff Sessions does not triumph racism. He is the embodiment of the hierarchy of institutional racism.
Instead of accepting and loving everyone, Trump is ready to build walls. As a country, our actions do not reflect that of our words. We talk the talk but can’t walk the walk. We say we value truth, love and compassion — but we elected the contrary.
Raymond Jetson, pastor of Star Hill Baptist Church and keynote speaker of last Monday night’s MLK vigil, made a great point. When speaking on how we’d have a new president by the end of the week, he said, “the struggle is not over, it has just presented itself in a different way.”
He’s perfectly correct — the struggle is far from over. People are realizing that now more than ever. Regardless of one of the biggest contradictions in history, we must continue to fight for the vision that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shared with us. We have to dream his dream.
Clarke Perkins is a 21-year-old political science junior from New Orleans, Louisiana.