Last week the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial opened to the public on the National Mall. The unveiling of this long overdue memorial will provide a reason for us as a nation to examine race relations in the United States. However, with all the pomp and circumstance the real dialogue about race in America won’t be had at the King Memorial dedication. Why? Because since the March of Washington, I believe that we as a country have yet to have a serious and honest dialogue about race in America.
To me, the King memorial is important for a myriad of reasons, none more important though then this: the fight for racial and social equality in America belongs to every citizen, and not solely to one generation. If we are to truly honor Dr. King’s legacy, then we as citizens should not be afraid to have an adult conversation. The King Memorial provides us with the perfect opportunity and we as a nation should seize upon the moment.
Having the adult conversations means stopping the segmentation of society. There are no strictly black issues, gay issues, north/south issues: in America there are only American issues. We as country need to stop thinking about crises in singular terms and rather look at their overall effect on our society. Furthermore it means ceasing to silence people because they haven’t been black, white, gay, straight, protestant etc. Every one of us brings a unique perspective to the table and our limitations shouldn’t disqualify us from joining the dialogue.
From our political system and leaders, the adult conversation means having the maturity to understand the significance and importance of equality in America. President Obama, it means no more beer summits. The memorial provides a moment where you can be the transformative leader you write about in The Audacity of Hope. For my Republican friends, this moment means living up to the mantle of Lincoln. Don’t be afraid of the political repercussion, no one ever lost in the endgame because they championed the cause of equality.
For all our faults, we as a society have never given up on striving to achieve Dr. King’s dream. As proof I point to Washington, DC and the revival of Oklahoma at the DC-based Arena Stage Theater. Washington, DC was devastated by the 1968 riots which were incited by Dr. King’s assassination. The riots devastated the predominately black areas of our nation’s capital, many of which are only starting to recover in the last decade. Yet, in the southwest corner of DC, art is providing a reflection on the progress of society.
At the Arena Stage revival of Oklahoma, director Molly Smith is breathing new life into an old classic by featuring an interracial love story between the characters of Laurey and Curly. Even more fascinating is the audience, nor the press, seemed to notice. Four decades ago this revival would have been unthinkable. Now, not only is it thinkable, it’s proof that we as a society can move forward. One can only imagine the advancements if a real dialogue on race in America were had. Oklahoma is a perfect companion to the King Memorial because it too shows our capacity to move beyond even our toughest struggles.
I know that not every citizen shares my belief about civil right in America. We still have injustice in our country and probably always will. That doesn’t mean we should stop aspiring to Dr. King’s vision. My only lament about the King Memorial is that the message of the man will be lost in the splendor of the monument. And if I am wrong, I hope President Obama and our civic leaders will be reminded of Dr. King’s words:
For more information on the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial please visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr._National_Memorial
For more information on, or to purchase tickets to, Arena Stage’s production of Oklahoma please visit: http://www.arenastage.org/shows-tickets/the-season/productions/oklahoma/
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