The Dream Lives On

[ziasudra]

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Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

I believe there'll always be racism as long as there is a human race; it's so ingrained in human nature to notice what's different and label it repulsive or undesirable. Today it might be black vs. white. Tomorrow it can be blue eyes vs. green eyes, or ears with lobes vs. ears without lobes. What I find admirable about Martin Luther King, Jr. is that he kept on fighting for what he believed to be right. And he did it in such a way that he and his movement became inspirations to many, even if the results of King's efforts came years after he died.

Part of the reason why I like InterVarsity so much is because of the organization's commitment to racial reconciliation. I have yet to be part of a group that's so committed to not only address personal injustice, but to work on issues on a more macro level through education (both learning and teaching) and service.

There are still plenty of racial discriminations around. But today reminds me that since the Civil Rights Movement, much progress has been made.

Comments

[lampblack.livejournal.com]

Yes, now if we could also make some progress on the nonviolence message of Dr King's...

[ziasudra.livejournal.com]

Amen to that! There must be a reason why nonviolent leaders and their movements, like Dr. King's and Ghandi's, actually have long lasting effects despite heavy initial setbacks. Maybe it's time for our country to take notice... :p

[ptyx.livejournal.com]

Thanks for reminding me of the day, and for mentioning InterVarsity. I'll try to learn more about them.

[ziasudra.livejournal.com]

You're welcome :)

The one thing (among many *g*) I like about InterVarsity is how it's both bookish and action-oriented. I love books, and through them I got to know writers like Ronald Takaki (A Different Mirror) and Beverly Tatum (Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?). And I got to meet a bunch of authors who write specifically on Asian American racial/cultural identity issues.

But I digress... talking about books do that to me, hehe.

[tanechigai.livejournal.com]

Here's an interesting article from Christianity Today: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/february/4.104.html

I agree, organizations like InterVarsity are really the key to fixing this.

[ziasudra.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's a very thought-provoking article! Of course, as this often comes up in Asian American meetings, I keep thinking at the back of my head as I read: "Where do Asians fit into this?" And I can see Asians fall into both the "black" and "white" experiences at different points. The whole concept of East Asians being the "model minority" is itself a topic worth many discussions.

I didn't attend Urbana this year, but I heard some really cool things happened there.

[tanechigai.livejournal.com]

I read the IVP book "How to follow Jesus without dishonoring your parents" while I worked for Intervarsity, and it was really eye-opening. I was trying really hard to understand the struggles and experiences of my Asian staff friends and it helped immensely. It also helped me to find some common ground to build on. Jenn in particular was very, very gracious with me as I then wrestled with my own identity, culture, and communication style. When we were back in New York, she asked me to write a letter about these revelations and experiences to Mike, and I felt really honored that she valued my ideas on the subject so much.

Anyway, I was going to note that the book I just mentioned suggests that Asians are perfectly situated to help mediate in the black/white dialogue precisely because they have experience being on both sides at different times.

Also, it's probably asking a lot, but it would be fantastic if you made a post about the "model minority" concept. Being white, I can tell you that most white people believe this to be true, and it can use a little mythbusting ;)

[ziasudra.livejournal.com]

I overheard Anna's conversation with a former staff the other day and she was talking about how she noticed a lot of the racial reconciliation talks have been initiated by a more "privileged" group reaching out to a "less privileged" group, and that even in Asian (American) racial reconciliation movements, it's usually the East Asians doing the initiating, as if we have something akin to the White Man's Guilt.

She mentioned in passing there was a really powerful reconciliation moment between Japanese and Korean students at Urbana this year. I didn't hear too much details about that, but I'm sure it was amazing.

Free 40 minute lecture about MLK philosophy

[sad1225.livejournal.com]

The Teaching Company is proud to present Professor Dennis Dalton's lecture “Stride for Freedom” from his course, Freedom: Philosophy of Liberation. This lecture is a free gift to you. You may access this free lecture online any time between now and Wednesday, February 28

http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/MLKlecture2006.aspx?ai=22711&pc=Campaign

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In summary, Dr. King used Gandhi's civil disobediance as a way of applying Christian love beyond personal relationships - to relationships between nations.

Re: Free 40 minute lecture about MLK philosophy

[ziasudra.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'll definitely listen to it once I'm done with all my frantic packing and traveling. The course title itself sounds very interesting. I wish there's a class like this at my school.

Thank you for the birthday wishes!!!

[verdenia.livejournal.com]

I didn't get to look at lj on my b'day at all. Now I just found this at skip = 275 ;p
Cute graphic, too! ♥

Re: Thank you for the birthday wishes!!!

[ziasudra.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome! The banner was a lot of fun to make too *g*