Posted by
Pastor Ray on Thursday, September 04, 2008 9:00:00 AM
During the Democratic National Convention, set on the 45th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, my focus drifted to the rich history of black people in America. Black delegates were, as I was, extremely proud of this historical moment. Yet I began to wonder about the philosophical similarities or differences between black leaders like Senator Obama, Reverend Al Sharpton, Reverend Jesse Jackson, and Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Each has stood for what they believed to be the authentically black position of their day. The question I will address in this three-part series, is whether the past leaders would agree with positions espoused by current black leadership. To examine this, one must juxtapose the historical record of quotes and books by past leaders against current ideas emanating from black leaders of today.
Frederick Douglass, a former slave, embodied early black leadership in America. Escaping in 1838, Douglass rose to prominence as an abolitionist in the 1850’s and continued until his death in 1895. In his 1865 speech before the Annual Anti-Slavery Society, Douglass describes his philosophy concerning the uplift of blacks in America when he states, “Everybody has asked the question. . ."What shall we do with the Negro?" I have had but one answer from the beginning. Do nothing with us! Your doing with us has already played the mischief with us. Do nothing with us! If the apples will not remain on the tree of their own strength, if they are worm-eaten at the core, if they are early ripe and disposed to fall, let them fall! I am not for tying or fastening them on the tree in any way, except by nature's plan, and if they will not stay there, let them fall. And if the Negro cannot stand on his own legs, let him fall also. All I ask is, give him a chance to stand on his own legs! Let him alone! “
Douglass seems committed to black uplift as the result of individual responsibility, occurring in an atmosphere of unencumbered opportunity. This is fascinating when considering that Douglass lived in an America that provided miniscule opportunity for blacks to succeed. Opposing this position seems to be the mantra of current black leadership.
Senator Obama said while in Gary, IN, “I think it's time we had a president who doesn't deny our problems or blame the American people for them but takes responsibility and provides the leadership to solve them”.
This position by Senator Obama commits the resources of the Presidency to solving the problems of Americans. Should this be the task of the President of the United States? If so, then perhaps we should include this responsibility in the presidential oath of office. We could remove the part about upholding the Constitution and defending us from all enemies, both foreign and domestic; replacing those words with the promise to pay all my debt, educate my children and myself, abort children on demand, allow people to enter America illegally, and pay for it all by raising taxes on the most successful of us.
Americans would never stand for this, yet it is interesting to see ideas of success compared with one another. Douglass’ position not only works for black Americans, but for all Americans.
The Constitution does not guarantee equal success, but does guarantee equal protection and equal opportunity. To expect that we should all succeed applying various levels of personal industry is like saying every horse should win just because he is in the race.