Sacrificing for the Dream – Black Fathers…

Sacrificing for the Dream – Black Fathers…
May 3, 2011 by Staff
Filed under Brothers Corner, Fatherhood, News, Opinion, Relationships, Weekly Columns

(ThyBlackMan.com) There are many perspectives on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Perspectives about which we continue to explore, write and speak. Pastor of the people, Philosopher of non-violence, Ph.D. in theology, Peacemaker of Nobel Prize quality, Protester of racial injustice, Councilor to Presidents and a Promoter of economic equality; responsibilities he shared not only for people of color, but for people of all color.

A Father’s Dream

And in all that I’ve stated we often miss a foundational part of who this man was. He was a father to his children. He was a father who had a dream for his children. And in his own words he said, “I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but the content of their character.” His dream simply stated -that his children would have a better quality of life than he had experienced. But, this father didn’t just dream it, he gave his life to see that dream fulfilled.

Dr. King pursued this dream because the conditions of the time were unacceptable for him, his children and his people. A time not so far in the distant past but has become a forgotten nightmare for many of our current generation. We cannot forget that there was a time our children would not be served at certain restaurants. We cannot forget that there was a time our children did not have access to the best education. We cannot forget that there was a time separate drinking fountains and restrooms were mandated by law. We cannot forget “Colored balconies” in movie theaters. We cannot forget there was time that our children had to sit in the back of the bus. We cannot forget there was a time that soldiers had to be ordered to protect little children who were trying to go to a “better” school. We cannot forget because these hidden attitudes of inequality and inhumanity still exist.

Dr. King and many others shared that same dream and took a non-violent but opposing stand against the social injustices to pursue the dream for themselves and their children. In the face of personal, lost through violence sparked by racism and discrimination, they stood. In the face of the lynchings, the imprisonment, the crushing blow of water from fire hoses, the terror of attack dogs, death threats, firebombs, burning crosses, harsh and inhumane insults, fists of fury, nightsticks and guns. They stood not only for themselves but also for the future generations, their children.

They demanded better for their children. They were ready to pay the price. They understood the far-reaching impact of injustice and wanted it stopped right there, right now.

Today our children are in crisis. We see a generation whose identity is dictated by a culture who is searching and never finding themselves, never finding a purpose that is not fleeting. And the results are catastrophic. From ages eight and eighteen we see increases in school absenteeism and drop outs, sexually transmitted diseases, children having children, succumbing to the lure of alcohol and drug abuse, emotional problems that lead to gang affiliation, senseless violence and suicide. We cry out, “What is happening to our children?”

Sacrificing for the Dream

We should then ask “What will we do about it?” Do we want better for our children? Are we ready to pay the price? Are we fed up with social mayhem? Sacrifice is the forfeiting of something highly valued for the sake of one who is to have greater value.

Many of us agree that the greatest demonstration of love is for someone to sacrifice his or her life for another. But these sacrifices must not largely involve money or material goods but a heart that is turn to the children. The increase of father absence is evidence that many are choosing instead to sacrifice their children. We must get a vision for a new dream.

The first dream of the civil rights movement we must continue to pursue. But we must also pay heed to a second dream. Because if this second dream is not envisioned and fulfilled then their will be no one to enjoy the rights attained by the first. It is like the saying, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” Exactly, what good is it to a man to gain the benefits of civil rights if they cannot be passed on to the next generation?

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