What Would Dr. King Say?

Unfortunately, finding that common ground -- recognizing that our fates are tied up, as Dr. King said, in a "single garment of destiny" -- is not easy. And part of the problem, of course, lies in the imperfections of man -- our selfishness, our pride, our stubbornness, our acquisitiveness, our insecurities, our egos; all the cruelties large and small that those of us in the Christian tradition understand to be rooted in original sin. We too often seek advantage over others. We cling to outworn prejudice and fear those who are unfamiliar. Too many of us view life only through the lens of immediate self-interest and crass materialism; in which the world is necessarily a zero-sum game. The strong too often dominate the weak, and too many of those with wealth and with power find all manner of justification for their own privilege in the face of poverty and injustice.  

President Barack Obama, University of Notre Dame, May 17, 2009.

I find it incredulous that an African American man who has attained the highest office in this country can quote Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and have such a convoluted idea of civil rights. The abortion issue is all about civil rights. The most fundamental right of all is the right to life. What does it say about a man who benefited from the actions of those that stood up for a cause 50 plus years ago and ignores the weakest of our society? Who when confronted with a question about when life begins he replies, "That is above my pay grade."

The civil rights activists of the 50's and 60's took to the streets to protest the injustice of prejudice. They endured beatings, public embarrassment, incarceration, threats to self and family, and murder. Why did they endure these things? Because there are some things worth taking a public stand against. There are still some things in this world that are so evil that those of us with the courage of our convictions must stand against. Nobody can say it better than Dr. King.

How does one determine whether a law is just or unjust? A just law is a man made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. To put it in the terms of St. Thomas Aquinas: An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law. Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust. 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Letter from a Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963

So, no, President Obama. I am not going to agree to disagree. I don't care a wit if we "just get along" or not. A child being ripped apart in a womb doesn't get a vote but I do. A child in the womb doesn't have a voice but I do. I will not go quietly into the night. I will not turn my back on those that are defenseless against you and those like you. We will be in your face about this issue until it is resolved on the side of goodness and life. Just like Dr. King did so that you could be president some day.