"We shall Overcome Some Day"

Imagine being slapped hard across the face. You are shocked and stunned. The skin on your cheek blossoms into a bright red color and stings as if a hundred tiny needles are piercing through your skin. The pain and humiliation are increased as water springs to your eyes in response to the pain. Would you, in return, turn your other cheek toward your attacker and allow them to strike you again? Would this make you feel small, pathetic and powerless? Or, would it make you feel empowered? Would you instead choose to raise your fists in defense of yourself, refusing to allow such an assault to repeat itself? Now imagine you saw a family member, a spouse, a sibling, a child, undeservingly treated with such derision. Would your response change?
Looking back on the Civil Rights movement is heartbreaking and inspiring. It is disturbing to see how corrupt and confused so many white people were. It is devastating to see pictures of young children, imbued with hatred from their parents, carrying racist and hateful signs. It is disgraceful to think of Jim Crow laws ever having a place in the United States of America. However, it is inspiring to see how people responded to these injustices and never gave up despite the odds. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X each responded differently. Martin proclaimed, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of it’s creed…” While Malcolm declared, “No, I’m not an American. I am one of the 22 million black people who are victims of Americanism… I don’t see any American Dream; I see an American nightmare.” Martin saw the peace and brotherly love inspired by Jesus Christ, which would come to rest upon all black and white people eventually. Malcolm saw the disorder and suffering which tore his family apart and drove his mother insane. Martin saw the inequality as something to be overcome with love; Malcolm saw the disparity as something to be overcome with force and violence if necessary. Martin was prepared to turn the other cheek. Malcolm was not going to allow any white man to slap him across the face. Each of these men were great men who, through their understanding, their faith, their unfailing diligence, and passion for the cause of freedom helped the Civil Rights movement see great success in the United States of America.