THE KKK IS COMING TO TOWN
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
I recently heard the news that the KKK is coming to Charlottesville, VA this summer. My first response was anger.
I don’t want them here. I don’t want them to have the right to come make my minority students, whom I love, feel like anything but what they are- awesome and amazing people.
I don’t want them to come and potentially influence my white students, whom I love, to believe it is right to hold negative views of people based solely on their skin color.
I don’t want them to come and stir up the community that I love with hatred. I don’t want the KKK here.
My next response was slower and harder- acceptance.
The anger I feel is justified, but if I believe in the freedoms we have as American citizens, and I want to be granted those freedoms, I have to be okay with others exercising those rights. As much as I disagree with their beliefs, they must be allowed to assemble and share those beliefs.
So, how should I respond? Do I have the right to hate those who spew hatred towards the people I love? Maybe…. but just because we have a right to do something doesn’t mean it is right.
I have to see those in the KKK as what they are- people. They are people like you and me. I may not agree with their beliefs, but that doesn’t make them any less human and deserving of love.
Sometimes it is really hard to love people, especially those who hurt others. Hate can be the easier option.
Martin Luther King, Jr., had the right response. My hatred would only further spread hatred. I must meet this visit with love. I must find ways to show my children, my students, my church, and my community that the KKK can say what they like, but it isn’t truth.
The truth is love because we all have one thing in common. We are flawed people in need of grace.
I will show love in the face of hatred.
As Christians, displaying the face of Christ is inseparable from showing love, so if we show Him, we can only show love!
This hatred is shown to all that are not like them in every way; it is not just the blacks but all people groups that looks and acts and beliefs different from them; this is pure hatred from Satan himself.
“I will show love in the face of hatred.” Summer time and it seems like we are at a tipping point in rage all around our country and world. What if we memorized your quote and asked God’s Holy Spirit to bring it forward when we are faced with anger and hate. So not easy to do! So important to do! Wonderful writing for us to meditate on in prayer. Thank you for sharing this perfectly written post ! I appreciate you so much!
showing love how? there have been ppl for decades telling residents of cville what is wrong in the community, yet they have been ignored…but now that the national spotlight is on cville, there is this christian outcry. I think you miss the point when you only respond to a white hate group but when marginalized groups say something, it is swept under the rug…Christ acknowledged that in so many ways, yet his followers dont seem to see it. The parable about the neighbor; the woman at the well; the woman begging for scraps were Christ being in the midst of daily atrocities set up by those good spiritual pharisees….love is patient; it is kind and doesnt insist on its own ways – rejoices in truth…but most times that isnt the love that is shown
It makes me sad that you have only seen a response as the KKK is coming. I don’t think it is a lack of concern or a lack of valuing people. I’m sorry this has been your experience. It shouldn’t be so.
I can only speak for me, and I will say this post has not been my first time reflecting on race and a need to respond with love and understanding.
As an educator and a church leader I have spent a great deal of time listening to students and others trying to learn what I can. I have also spent a lot of time trying to figure out what I can do to create equity in the classroom.
If you would like to talk sometime, I’d be more than happy to listen. I want to find practical things I can be doing to make a positive impact beyond loving all people.
Tell your students this: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” -Eleanor Roosevelt