King would be sad but not surprised at our situation – Sarasota Herald-Tribune

opinion

THE EDGE

There is some irony in the air today.

Ironic that we have been worryingfor days now - ever since the attack on the Capitol and nowculminating in today's potential threats in Washington and our state capitalsand then again during Wednesday's inauguration about the threat of violence as we celebrate the life of a manwho brought so much change to our country through peaceful means.

Martin Luther King Jr., born 92 years ago on Jan. 15 in Atlanta. Died 52 years ago froman assassin's bullet, shot down at 39 by a man harboring muchof the same misguided hatred that we saw evidenced in the mob that attacked our "People's House" 11 days ago.

We're watching as the National Mall is restricted because of fears of violence 57 years after King and other civil rights leaders drew 250,000 non-violent protesters to the Lincoln Memorial directly opposite our Capitol and enunciated a vision of America where we all lived by the Golden Rule and our Constitution, and where violence and hatred were things of the past.

Departing from his speech, King gave anan impromptu picture inspired by gospel singer Mahalia Jackson's urging to "tell them about the dream."

"I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream," King would say."I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'"

What would King say today? We can only imagine.

I think he would be sad that our divisions some of them brought about by the same emotions and prejudices that he spent a lifetime combating with words of love and wisdom and peaceful protest brought us to Jan. 6.

Would he be surprised? No. I think he knew full well that America was an evolvingexperiment, often striding forward in advancement before lurching back a step.

King took the long view of America. He knew his work would outlive him and said so, but I think he also believed that ultimately freedom and equality and non-violence would triumph in America.

Speaking prophetically in Memphis, Tennessee, he reiterated that belief even as he had an apparent vision of his own mortality on the eve of his death.

"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place.

"But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you.

"But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

We, as a people, will get to the promised land. Those are good words for today toall Americans of good intent. We need people who stop worrying these days about their primacy and instead about our union and about our kids and all of their futures.

As Isit here and the scope of the attack on the Capitol continues to be clearer and clearer, I know it is difficult to contemplate words like unity and union. There is no doubt that justice must be meted out and those who used violence on that day whoever they may be must face the consequences. If they don't,we have no country.

But we also must remember that there is a difference between justice and revenge. Revenge and continued divisiveness will only set our evolution back further.

The man we honor at this time of year saw that clearly, pulling no spiritual punches.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction . . .The chain reaction of evil - hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars -- must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation."

Matthew Sauer, the Herald-Tribune's executive editor and general manager, can be reached at matthew.sauer@heraldtribune.com.

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King would be sad but not surprised at our situation - Sarasota Herald-Tribune