Martin Luther King Day has come and gone again, with local and national commentary about the 1963 message from Dr. King that promotes a hope of equality for all men and women, black or white, protestant or Catholic, Jews or Gentiles.
That message is heard every year in January on the third Monday of the month when Dr. King is remembered. Comments across the country purport to stand with King’s encouragement to spread “love, not hate,” and do it in a peaceful way.
However, events of the past two years must leave many Americans wondering if Dr. King’s message will ever truly be realized, especially considering the racial and political division that was inflamed so vividly at the national media levels during the past two years.
Yet, when you come to a small community such as Slidell, or hundreds of others like it around our country, the picture that is portrayed from many major cities in the United States is not a true reflection of what you see in cities like ours.
For those who attended Slidell’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day ceremony in front of the Slidell Police station on Monday it would be hard to believe the words of unity were not heartfelt.
Whether black leaders or white, church leaders or public officials, there is a sincere, common call in Slidell for “Unity in our Community” as has now become the motto locally.
For that matter, the passion among black and white leaders in Slidell to maintain what is real racial harmony in our city was brought up by the mayor, chief of police and others, who stated unequivocally that outsiders better not think for a second they are going to come to this city and upset the apple cart of love for our fellow man.
If you are among those who see and hear up close what the leaders of Slidell believe about harmony among all men and women, and all races, it is undeniable that anyone is just mouthing the words. They are said from the heart, and they are said with the passion that makes you know they are real.
The one theme that was consistent among Slidell’s church and public leaders is that the real key to harmony is the same guidance that came from Jesus Christ—“love they neighbor.”
Councilwoman Leslie Denham was one of many who spoke and stated the real key to achieving Dr. King’s message is “love your neighbor and check on your neighbor.”
It was reiterated many times during the short gathering, and was clear that we are fortunate to live in Slidell where our leaders, and the vast majority of our residents, are living out a key statement in Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” message:
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
As much as any part of the King message, that remark is one for us all to live by.
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Let us only judge by the content of one’s character
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