|
| |
|
Martin Luther King on 'waiting' |
| Susan Craig shared these reflections:
[1-15-03]
Friends,
As we approach Martin Luther King's
birthday and the weekend celebrating his vision and ministry, I am
re-reading his Letter from Birmingham Jail.
Remember that "8 [white] Alabama Clergymen"
had written him that "We recognize the natural impatience of people who feel
that their hopes are slow in being realized. But we are convinced that these
demonstrations are unwise and untimely..."
And I love his response, which I commend to
you. I'll make a few quotes, but read the whole darn thing! He says better
than I might articulate myself why we must not give in to the "Wait - the
time's not right" argument.
His quotes:
One of the basic points in your statement
is that our acts are untimely. ... Frankly, I have never yet engaged in a
direct action movement that was 'well-timed,' according to the timetable of
those who have not suffered unduly from the disease of [segregation]...
We must come to see ... that 'justice too
long delayed is justice denied.' ... you will understand why we find it
difficult to wait. There comes a time when the cup of endurance runs over,
and [men] are no longer willing to be plunged into an abyss of injustice
where they experience the bleakness of corroding despair. ...
I have almost reached the regrettable
conclusion that the Negroes' great stumbling block in the stride toward
freedom is not the White Citizens' 'Counciler' or the Ku Klux Klanner, but
the white moderate who is more devoted to 'order' than justice ... who
constantly says 'I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I can't agree
with your methods of direct action; who paternalistically feels that he can
set the time-table for another [man]'s freedom; who lives by the myth of
time and who constantly advises the [Negro] to wait until a 'more convenient
season.' Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating
than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. ...
I had also hoped that the white moderate
would reject the myth of time. I received a letter this morning from a white
brother in Texas which said: 'All Christians know that the colored people
will receive equal rights eventually, but is it possible that you are in too
great of a religious hurry? ...
The time is always ripe to do right. Now is
the time to make real the promise of democracy. ...
Now is the time...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for listening to his great voice -
and may justice prevail, soon!
Susan
|
| |
|
Some blogs worth visiting |
| |
|
Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created this new blog
for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship and activism,
Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the voices of
feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy, students,
exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers and
devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God in
whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
| |
|
Witherspoon’s Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, Witherspoon’s
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views, or initiate
a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
| |
|
John Harris’ Summit to Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical reflections on
everything between summit to shore, including kayaking, climbing,
religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology, politics, culture,
travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New York City and the
Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive New York City
Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the Witherspoon
board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian Church in
Flushing, NY. |
| |
|
John
Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently serving as
pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton, Tenn., blogs
about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized and
disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and lightening
up. |
| |
|
Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
| |
|
Plan now for our 2010 Ghost Ranch
Seminar!
GHOST RANCH SEMINAR
July 26-August 1, 2010
WE’RE
ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
CONFRONTING THE STRUCTURES OF INJUSTICE |
| |
|
If you like what you find
here,
we hope you'll help us keep this website going ... and growing!
Please consider making a special
contribution -- large or small -- to help us continue and improve
this service.
Click here to send a
gift online, using your credit card, through PayPal.
Or send your check, made
out to "Witherspoon Society" and marked "web site," to our
Witherspoon Bookkeeper:
Susan Robertson
9650 Clover Circle
Eden Prairie, MN 55347 |
| |
|
